Analysis of Metabolite Profiles Using Liquid Chromatography, High Resolution Mass Spectrometry  and Evaluation of the Antioxidant Activity of Etanol Extracts from Swiftlet Nests

Ulfah Utami; Megananda Hiranya Putri; Neneng Nurjanah; Sekar Restuning; Winda Pratiwi; Widi Nurwanti

doi:10.31965/dtj.v8i1.2586

Authors

Ulfah Utami Department of Dental Health, Poltekkes Kemenkes Bandung, Bandung, West Java, Indonesia
Megananda Hiranya Putri Department of Dental Health, Poltekkes Kemenkes Bandung, Bandung, West Java, Indonesia
Neneng Nurjanah Department of Dental Health, Poltekkes Kemenkes Bandung, Bandung, West Java, Indonesia
Sekar Restuning Department of Dental Health, Poltekkes Kemenkes Bandung, Bandung, West Java, Indonesia
Winda Pratiwi Department of Dental Health, Poltekkes Kemenkes Tasikmalaya, Tasikmalaya, West Java, Indonesia
Widi Nurwanti Department of Dental Health, Poltekkes Kemenkes Tasikmalaya, Tasikmalaya, West Java, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31965/dtj.v8i1.2586

Keywords:

Aerodramus fuciphagus, Antioxidant, DPPH, LC-HRMS, Metabolite

Abstract

White swiftlet nests (Aerodramus fuciphagus) are widely known to possess various functional biological activities. However, research on the specific profiles of secondary metabolites and volatile/non-protein compounds in crude extracts remains limited. This study aims to identify macromolecular chemical components and metabolites in white SBW ethanol extracts using Liquid Chromatography-High Resolution Mass Spectrometry (LC-HRMS) and to evaluate their antioxidant capacity via the DPPH method. A 708-g sample of white SBW was prepared, dried at 40°C (moisture content obtained: 21%), ground, and extracted by stepwise maceration using ethanol as a solvent until a concentrated extract yield of 0.35% was obtained. Reverse-phase LC-HRMS analysis using a C18 column detected 19 major compounds, including amino acid derivatives, lipids, chromates, and several organic compounds. The results revealed the presence of 4-amino-4-deoxycrosimate acid, which theoretically indicates microbial interaction or contamination during nest formation or storage. Antioxidant activity testing showed an IC50 value of 3693.39 ppm. These results confirm that the SBW ethanol extract exhibits antioxidant activity that is classified as very weak/less active compared to pure polyphenolic compounds, which aligns with SBW’s characteristics as a long-term biological protective agent through cellular modulation, rather than as an aggressive free radical scavenger.

References

Abdullah, D. A., Mamat, M. I. I., Abd Rahman, M. U. N. I. R. A. H., & Azmi, W. A. (2025). A Review on Aerodramus Spp. in Tropical Ecosystems: Emphasis on Food Sources for Edible Bird Nest (EBN) Production. Journal of Sustainability Science and Management, 20(5), 1109-1121. http://doi.org/10.46754/jssm.2025.05.013

Anggraini, D., & Kasmawati, L. Y. (2017). Formulasi Gel Sarang Burung Walet Putih (Aerodramus fushipagus) dan Uji Penyembuhan Luka Bakar Derajat II pada Mencit [Formulation of White Swiftlet (Aerodramus fushipagus) Nest Gel and Testing of Its Efficacy in Healing Second-Degree Burns in Mice]. Jurnal Sains Farmasi & Klinis, 4(1), 55. https://doi.org/10.29208/jsfk.2017.4.1.172

Bappenas. (2015). Indonesia Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan 2015-2020. Jakarta: Bappenas.

Chien, M., Chin, N. L., & Lim, C. (2015). Preliminary nitrite, nitrate and colour analysis of Malaysian edible bird’s nest. Information Processing in Agriculture, 2(1), 1–5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.inpa.2014.12.002

Chok, K. C., Ng, M. G., Ng, K. Y., Koh, R. Y., & Tiong, Y. L. (2021). Edible bird’s nest: recent updates and industry insights based on laboratory findings. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 12, 1–19. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2021.746656

Daud, N. A., Mohamad Yusop, S., Babji, A. S., Lim, S. J., Sarbini, S. R., & Hui Yan, T. (2021). Edible bird’s nest: physicochemical properties, production, and application of bioactive extracts and glycopeptides. Food Reviews International, 37(2), 177-196. https://doi.org/10.1080/87559129.2019.1696359

Dewi, M. E. (2020). Manfaat konsumsi sarang burung walet [The benefits of consuming swallow nests]. Jurnal Kedokteran Ibnu Nafis, 9(1), 12-16. https://doi.org/10.30743/jkin.v9i1.43

Hanafiah, O. A., Abidin, T., Ilyas, S., Nainggolan, M., & Syamsudin, E. (2019). Wound healing activity of binahong (Anredera cordifolia (Ten.) Steenis) leaves extract towards NIH-3T3 fibroblast cells. Journal of International Dental and Medical Research, 12(3), 854-858.

Haris, A. (2019). Efektivitas Krim Ekstrak Sarang Burung Walet Terhadap Penyembuhan Luka Mencit Di Kota Bima [The Effectiveness of Swallow's Nest Extract Cream in Promoting Wound Healing in Mice in Bima City]. Jurnal Analis Medika Biosains (JAMBS), 6(2), 120. https://doi.org/10.32807/jambs.v6i2.150

Harniza, Y., & Wahid, M.H. (2009). Pola resistensi bakteri yang diisolasi dari bangsal bedah rumah sakit Cipto Mangunkusumo pada tahun 2003-2006 [Bacterial resistance pattern isolated from surgery ward Cipto Mangunkusumo hospital in 2003-2006]. Jakarta: Fakultas Kedokteran Universitas Indonesia.

International Diabetes Federation. (2021). International Diabetes Federation Atlas 2021. International Diabetes Federation.

Iskandar, I. W. (2017). Uji Antimikroba Sarang Burung Walet Collocalia fuciphaga Thunberg. Menggunakan pelarut etanol dalam menghambat pertumbuhan Propionibacterium acnes dan Candida albicans [Antimicrobial Testing of the Nests of the Collocalia fuciphaga Thunberg Swiftlet Using Ethanol as a Solvent to Inhibit the Growth of Propionibacterium acnes and Candida albicans]. Skripsi. Universitas Hasanuddin.

Jamalluddin, N. H., Tukiran, N. A., Fadzillah, N. A., & Fathi, S. (2019). Overview of edible bird's nests and their contemporary issues. Food Control, 104, 247-255.

Kong, H. K., Chan, Z., Yan, S. W., Lo, P. Y., Wong, W. T., Wong, K. H., & Lo, C. L. (2022). Revealing the species-specific genotype of the edible bird’s nest-producing swiftlet, Aerodramus fuciphagus and the proteome of edible bird’s nest. Food research international, 160, 111670.

Marcone, M. F. (2005). Characterization of the edible bird’s nest, the “ Caviar of the East .” 38, 1125–1134. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2005.02.008

Nuroini, F., & Wijayanti, N. (2017). Uji Efek Anti Inflamasi Sarang Burung Walet (Collocalia fuciphaga Thunberg) Terhadap Gambaran Histologis Telapak Kaki Mencit (Mus musculus Linneaus) [Evaluation of the Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Swallow’s Nest (Collocalia fuciphaga Thunberg) on the Histological Findings of Mouse Paws (Mus musculus Linnaeus)]. Jurnal Labora Medika, 1(1), 21-26.

Rifqi, A. (2017). Aktivitas Antioksidan Ekstrak Air Sarang Burung Walet ( Collocalia fuciphaga) dengan Metode DPPH (2,2-Difenil-1-1-Pikrihidrazil) [Antioxidant Activity of Water-Extracted Swiftlet Nest (Collocalia fuciphaga) Using the DPPH (2,2-Diphenyl-1,1-picrylhydrazine) Method]. Skripsi. Fakultas Kedokteran Dan Ilmu Kesehatan Universitas Islam Negeri Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta

Sandi, D. A. D., & Musfirah, Y. (2019). Wound Healing Effects of Edible Bird’s Nests Oinment (Aerodramus fuciphagus) in Alloxan-Induced Male Rats. Majalah Obat Tradisional, 24(1), 33–39. https://doi.org/10.22146/mot.39072

Tottoli, E. M., Dorati, R., Genta, I., Chiesa, E., Pisani, S., & Conti, B. (2020). Skin wound healing process and new emerging technologies for skin wound care and regeneration. Pharmaceutics, 12(8), 735. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics12080735

Unal, K. I., Chang, L. S., Mustapha, W. A. W., Razali, N. S. M., Babji, A. S., & Lim, S. J. (2022). Edible bird’s nest, a valuable glycoprotein source: Current research prospects and challenges in Malaysia. Sains Malaysiana, 51(9), 2829-2842. http://doi.org/10.17576/jsm-2022-5109-08