Preliminary study of nitrite content in South Sulawesi uncleaned edible bird nest

Abstract

Edible bird nest is a nest made from saliva of swiftlet (Aerodramus fuciphagus). In term of food safety, nitrite is one of chemical hazards that should be checked in edible bird nest (EBN) which can affect human health. Occurance of nitrite in edible bird nest is determined from its level in uncleaned EBN and cleaning process. This preliminary study was aimed to check level of nitrite in edible bird nest taken from swiftlet houses in South Sulawesi. The nitrite analysis using spectrophotometer showed that nitrite content is varied among swiftlet houses ranged from 4.7 µg/g to 164.4 µg/g. This result showed that most EBN sample in uncleaned South Sulawesi edible bird nest is below the limit of nitrite content regulated by Indonesian government which is 125 µg/g. This finding also indicates that good farming practice should be introduced into swiftlet farmers.