Nitrite Level and Rehydration Capacity of Edible Bird’s Nest Heated at Commercial Sterilization Temperature

Abstract

Indonesia is the world’s largest producer and exporter of edible bird’s nest (EBN). One of the importing countries requires that EBN be heated minimum 100 °C, with a minimum F0 value of 2.8, commercial sterilization with retort method. Indonesia’s government does not have data on the effect of retorts on the safety and quality of EBN. This study aimed to examine the nitrite level and rehydration capacity of EBN after undergoing a retort process. The samples were 24 raw uncleaned white EBN from 4 swiftlet farmhouses (SFHs) collected using purposive sampling. Two SFH from Sanggau District, West Kalimantan Province, Indonesia. Two SFH from Pekanbaru City, Riau, Indonesia. 12 pieces of samples were not heated, while the other 12 pieces were heated at retort temperature. The sample’s nitrite level was measured using a spectrophotometer, while the rehydration capacity was measured by soaking in aquabides for 3 hours. Data were analyzed using paired T test. The average nitrite level of non-heated EBN is 11.203 ± 2.692 ppm, while retort EBN 15.695 ± 5.630 ppm. The average rehydration capacity of the non-heated EBN bloomed 11.303±1.278 times the initial size. In comparison, the retort EBN bloomed 8.412 ± 1.257 times the initial size. This is the first study that reports retort EBN’s nitrite level and rehydration capacity. The retort sterilization method did not significantly change EBN nitrite levels. However, the distribution range of nitrite levels between samples became more extensive. The retort sterilization affects EBN quality by decreasing its rehydration capacity.