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Semicarbazide in selected bird's nest products
Yuan-Na Xing1, Hong-Gang Ni, Ze-Yong Chen
1Shenzhen Academy of Metrology and Quality Inspection, Shenzhen 518109, People's Republic of China.
Journal of Food Protection
|September 6, 2012
Summary
Semicarbazide (SEM) was found in most instant bottled bird's nest products due to food bleaching processes. Human exposure to SEM is primarily influenced by its concentration in consumed food products.
Area of Science:
- Food Science
- Food Chemistry
- Toxicology
Background:
- Food producers utilize hypochlorite for bleaching and bacterial inhibition.
- High nitrogen levels during bleaching can lead to semicarbazide (SEM) formation.
- SEM is a potential contaminant in bleached food products.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate SEM presence in instant bottled bird's nest.
- Identify the source of SEM in this food product.
- Estimate human exposure to SEM from consumption.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 28 instant bottled bird's nest samples for SEM.
- Testing for SEM originating from nitrofurazone and azodicarbonamide.
- Quantification of SEM levels in detected samples.
- Human exposure estimation for various population subgroups.
Main Results:
- SEM detected in 27 out of 28 samples (96%).
- SEM levels predominantly ranged from 5 to 50 μg/kg (75% of samples).
- SEM did not originate from nitrofurazone or azodicarbonamide.
- SEM likely originated from the food bleaching process.
Conclusions:
- The bleaching process is a significant source of SEM in instant bottled bird's nest.
- Food SEM concentration is the key factor in human exposure.
- Further research into food processing contaminants is warranted.
