Survey on the rate of microbial infection, contaminants of heavy metals and nitrite in bird’s nest form some southerwest provinces

This survey aimed at assessing the level of contamination with some microorganisms, some heavy metals and nitrite in semi-processed and raw bird's nest samples in a number of provinces and cities including Binh Phuoc, Binh Duong, Đong Nai, Binh Thuan, Tay Ninh, Ho Chi Minh, Kien Giang, An Giang, Bac Lieu, Can Tho, Gia Lai, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Phu Yen. Test results showed that E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Bacillus cereus, arsenic, and cadmium were not detected in the collected samples; Salmonella, were detected in 03 semi-processed of total 84 samples, accounting for 3.57%. The mold infection rate accounted for 22.92% (11/48 samples); there were 14 raw bird's nest samples exceeding the permited limit of nitrite content, in 80 tested samples, accounting for 17.50% (14/80 samples); 02 semi-processed samples collected at the processing facility detected lead and mercury content exceeded the permitted limit, accounting for 2.50% (2/80 samples).