The rapid and sensitive detection of edible bird's nest (Aerodramus fuciphagus) in processed food by a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay

Meng-Shiou Lee a, Jhong-Yong Huang b, Yi-Yang Lien c, Shyang-Chwen Sheu b,*

a China Medical University, Department of Chinese Pharmaceutical Science and Chinese Medicine Resources, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan

b National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Department of Food Science, Pingtung, 91201, Taiwan

c National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Pingtung, 91201, Taiwan

Edible bird's nest (EBN) is a well-known and precious traditional Chinese herbal material (CHM). Because of this, preventing the adulteration of EBN efficiently and precisely is crucial to protect consumers' interests and health. In this study, a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay was developed for the detection of EBN using specifically designed LAMP primers. The results demonstrated that the identification of EBN by LAMP assay was specific and rapid (within 1 h). It had no cross-reaction with EBN adulterants, including white fungus, egg white and pig skin, in different ratios. The relative detection limit was 0.01% EBN in the adulterants. Moreover, the sensitivity of LAMP in authenticating EBN was 108 mg, it showed higher sensitivity than that of conventional PCR with 105 fold. When genomic DNAs extracted from boiled or steamed EBN samples were used as templates, LAMP for EBN detection was not affected and was reproducible after heat processing. In conclusion, the LAMP assay established herein could be applicable for authenticating EBN and for identifying commercial EBN products in herbal markets.

Keywords: Edible bird's nest (EBN), Loop-mediated isothermal, amplification (LAMP), Authentication