The following article is from The Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1979). It might be outdated or ideologically biased.

Edible Bird’s Nest

the nests of certain species of salangane (birds of the suborder Apodidae, which externally somewhat resemble swallows; hence the Russian name, lastochkiny gnezda, “swallows’ nests”). Edible birds’ nests are constructed entirely or almost entirely from secretions of the salivary glands. They are highly valued in some countries of Southeast Asia as a delicacy used in the preparation of soups and other dishes. The gathering of edible birds’ nests entails great difficulty, since salanganes attach them beneath the ceiling in the depths of high caves and grottoes.

References in periodicals archive

Liu, "Sketch of the edible bird's nest and its important bioactivities," Food Research International, vol.

Wang, "Determination of sialic acid in edible bird's nest," Chinese Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis, vol.

Wong, "Edible bird's nest: food or medicine?," Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine, vol.

Bu-Sen, "Determination of edible bird's nest and its products by gas chromatography," Journal of Chromatographic Science, vol.

Effect of Maternal Administration of Edible Bird's Nest on the Learning and Memory Abilities of Suckling Offspring in Mice

A subsidiary, Royal Bird's Nest Sdn Bhd, produces and develops a range of products made with edible bird's nest extract such as functional food and health supplements, skin care products, health drinks, coffee, chocolate and even chewing gum, all of them halal.

Malaysia's largest developer of swiftlet parks that produce edible bird's nests, a precious delicacy in Southeast and East Asia, has ambitious plans to enter the world stage with its products and even wants to raise capital through an initial public offering in New York later this year.

Malaysia bird nest farming firm eyes Mideast markets, IPO in New York

Nazaimoon, "Effects of edible bird's nest on tumour necrosis factor-alpha secretion, nitric oxide production and cell viability of lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages," Food and Agricultural Immunology, vol.

Ismail, "In vitro bioaccessibility and antioxidant properties of edible bird's nest following simulated human gastro-intestinal digestion," BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, vol.

Ng, "Edible bird's nest ameliorates oxidative stress-induced apoptosis in SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells," BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, vol.

Edible bird's nest prevents high fat diet-induced insulin resistance in rats