Every source this publication has cited

Every article carries its sources at the foot. But if you wanted to check, across all of them, what material this publication actually works from, you would have to open 51 articles and go through them. So we gathered the sources from every article mechanically, removed the duplicates, and set them out in one place.

Academic papers (37)

1. Boulanger P. et al. “Purification and chemical study of a Collocalia glycoprotein”Biochimie, vol.57, 1975, pp.603–608. DOI: 10.1016/s0300-9084(75)80141-6 (purification of the glycoprotein, its constituent sugars, serine/threonine/proline, and hydroxy amino acids at about 40%. Abstract confirmed)
   Used in: What is edible bird’s nest made of?
2. Chantakun K, Nilsuwan K, Sripradit A, Benjakul S. House and cave edible bird’s nest: Characteristics and quality of sterilised beverages containing the selected bird’s nest. International Journal of Food Science and Technology. 2022;57(4):2447-2458.
   Used in: The same “edible bird’s nest”, and yet the figures differ / Is cave-harvested edible bird’s nest really safe? / Is “whiter is better” true? On bleaching, a processing step you cannot see
3. Chantakun et al. “Physicochemical properties of house and cave edible bird’s nest from Southern Thailand” ScienceAsia, vol.48, 2022, pp.136–143. DOI: 10.2306/scienceasia1513-1874.2022.017 (a comparison in southern Thailand. The editorial desk checked the original)
   Used in: Has edible bird’s nest been washed?
4. Chok KC, Ng MG, Ng KY, Koh RY, Tiong YL, Chye SM. Edible Bird’s Nest: Recent Updates and Industry Insights Based On Laboratory Findings. Frontiers in Pharmacology. 2021;12:746656. (review)
   Used in: They say edible bird’s nest contains EGF / What has been mixed into edible bird’s nest / The same “edible bird’s nest”, and yet the figures differ
5. Chua KH et al. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2013;13:19.
6. Connolly C. “A place for everything: Moral landscapes of swiftlet farming in George Town, Malaysia” Geoforum, 77, 2016, pp.182–191. DOI: 10.1016/j.geoforum.2016.11.005 (the reality of premises converted from existing buildings in urban areas)
   Used in: Is it all right for the swiftlets if we take the nests?
7. “Extraction, structural analysis and biological activities of edible bird’s nest sialylated mucin (SiaMuc) glycoproteins: A review”Food Bioscience, vol.61, 2024, 104791. DOI: 10.1016/j.fbio.2024.104791 (the SiaMuc framing, N- and O-linked glycans, constituent sugars. Bibliographic details confirmed; we have not confirmed the full text)
8. Fujita et al. “Ecological features benefiting sustainable harvesters in socio-ecological systems: a case study of Swiftlets in Malaysia” 2021. PMID: 34260776 (improper harvesting of nests containing eggs or chicks)
   Used in: Is it all right for the swiftlets if we take the nests?
9. Goh DL, Chua KY, Chew FT, Liang RC, Seow TK, Ou KL, Yi FC, Lee BW. “Immunochemical characterization of edible bird’s nest allergens” The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 107(6), 2001, pp.1082–1087. DOI: 10.1067/mai.2001.114342 (the editorial desk checked the abstract. We have not obtained the full text)
10. Guansheng Ma et al. “Edible bird’s nest: culture, science, and beyond: a narrative review” Journal of Ethnic Foods, vol.13, art.21, 2026. DOI: 10.1186/s42779-026-00314-9
    Used in: Did Yang Guifei really eat edible bird’s nest?
11. Hobbs JJ. “Problems in the harvest of edible birds’ nests in Sarawak and Sabah, Malaysian Borneo”Biodiversity and Conservation, 13(12), 2004, pp.2209–2226. DOI: 10.1023/B:BIOC.0000047905.79709.7f (the editorial desk checked the full text of the original)
    Used in: Is cave-harvested edible bird’s nest really safe? / Is it all right for the swiftlets if we take the nests?
12. Ibrahim SH, Teo WC, Baharun A. “A Study on Suitable Habitat for Swiftlet Farming” 2009. (the importance of temperature, humidity, airflow and light; artificial reproduction of the environment)
    Used in: Is it all right for the swiftlets if we take the nests?
13. Hobbs JJ. “Problems in the harvest of edible birds’ nests in Sarawak and Sabah, Malaysian Borneo”Biodiversity and Conservation, 13(12), 2004, pp.2209–2226. DOI: 10.1023/B:BIOC.0000047905.79709.7f (the editorial desk checked the full text of the original)
    Used in: Is birdhouse edible bird’s nest “farmed” ?
14. Khairunnisak M, Marzura MR, Bing CH, Marni S, Norzela AM, Eddy AA. Preliminary study on free sialic acid content of edible bird nest from Johor and Kelantan. Malaysian Journal of Veterinary Research. 2014:9-14. ISSN 2180-3897
15. Kong HK, Chan Z, Yan CSW, Lo PY, Wong WT, Wong KH, Lo CLS. 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. 2022;160:111670.
    Used in: They say edible bird’s nest contains EGF / The swiftlet as a bird
16. Langham N. “Breeding biology of the edible-nest swiftlet Aerodramus fuciphagus” Ibis, 122(4), 1980, pp.447–461. DOI: 10.1111/j.1474-919x.1980.tb00900.x (analysis of food boluses. The editorial desk checked the abstract. We have not obtained the full text)
17. Lee TH et al. Edible Bird’s Nest: The Functional Values of the Prized Animal-Based Bioproduct From Southeast Asia — A Review. Frontiers in Pharmacology. 2021;12:626233.
18. Lee TH et al. “Recent advances in the identification and authentication methods of edible bird’s nest” Food Research International, vol.100, 2017, pp.14–27. DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2017.07.036 (improper processing with hydrogen peroxide, industrial bleaching agents and the like. We have not confirmed the full text)
    Used in: Why is edible bird’s nest so expensive?
19. Medway L. 1962 (change in sublingual gland weight. Cited within the review above; we have not confirmed the original)
    Used in: Is edible bird’s nest really a bird’s nest?
20. Nurul Hidayah Jamaludin et al. “Overview of edible bird’s nests and their contemporary issues”Food Control, vol.104, 2019. DOI: 10.1016/j.foodcont.2019.04.042 (the sublingual glands and the secretion. The editorial desk checked the original)
    Used in: Is “whiter is better” true? On bleaching, a processing step you cannot see / Has edible bird’s nest been washed? / Telling what lies beyond the nest / Why is edible bird’s nest so expensive? / Is birdhouse edible bird’s nest “farmed” ? / Did Yang Guifei really eat edible bird’s nest?
21. Nurul Hidayah Jamaludin et al. “Overview of edible bird’s nests and their contemporary issues”Food Control, vol.104, 2019. DOI: 10.1016/j.foodcont.2019.04.042 (the sublingual glands and the secretion. The editorial desk checked the original)
    Used in: What is edible bird’s nest made of? / Is edible bird’s nest really a bird’s nest?
22. Poon PM-Y, Sze ET-P. Development of Method for Evaluation of Edible Bird’s Nest Content in Ready-to-Eat Beverages. Journal of AOAC INTERNATIONAL. 2023;106(4):1003-1009. doi:10.1093/jaoacint/qsad038
23. Quek MC, Chin NL, Yusof YA, Law CL, Tan SW. “Pattern recognition analysis on nutritional profile and chemical composition of edible bird’s nest for its origin and authentication”International Journal of Food Properties, 21(1), 2018, pp.1680–1696. DOI: 10.1080/10942912.2018.1503303 (the editorial desk checked the full text of the original and Table 2)
    Used in: Has edible bird’s nest been washed? / Why is edible bird’s nest so expensive?
24. Quek MC et al. “Preliminary nitrite, nitrate and colour analysis of Malaysian edible bird’s nest”Information Processing in Agriculture, 2(1), 2015, pp.1–5. DOI: 10.1016/j.inpa.2014.12.002 (washed samples. The editorial desk checked the full text of the original)
    Used in: Is cave-harvested edible bird’s nest really safe? / Has edible bird’s nest been washed?
25. Quek MC, Chin NL, Yusof YA, Law CL, Tan SW. “Pattern recognition analysis on nutritional profile and chemical composition of edible bird’s nest for its origin and authentication”International Journal of Food Properties, 21(1), 2018, pp.1680–1696. DOI: 10.1080/10942912.2018.1503303 (the editorial desk checked the full text of the original and Table 2)
    Used in: Is cave-harvested edible bird’s nest really safe? / Is birdhouse edible bird’s nest “farmed” ?
26. Quek MC et al. “Preliminary nitrite, nitrate and colour analysis of Malaysian edible bird’s nest”Information Processing in Agriculture, 2(1), 2015, pp.1–5. DOI: 10.1016/j.inpa.2014.12.002 (washed samples. The editorial desk checked the full text of the original)
    Used in: Is birdhouse edible bird’s nest “farmed” ?
27. “Review of sialic acid’s biochemistry, sources, extraction and functions with special reference to edible bird’s nest”Food Chemistry, vol.367, 2022, 130755. DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2021.130755 (sialic acid is the collective name for nine-carbon sugar acids, with more than 50 forms; in edible bird’s nest it is mainly Neu5Ac. Abstract confirmed)
28. Shim EKS et al. “Nitration of Tyrosine in the Mucin Glycoprotein of Edible Bird’s Nest Changes Its Color from White to Red”Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, vol.66(22), 2018, pp.5654–5662. DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.8b01619 (nitration of tyrosine as the cause of the reddening. The editorial desk checked the abstract)
    Used in: Is “whiter is better” true? On bleaching, a processing step you cannot see / Is edible bird’s nest really a bird’s nest?
29. “Structure studies of collocalia mucoid. I. Carbohydrate and amino acid composition”Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics, vol.134, 1969, pp.572–576. DOI: 10.1016/0003-9861(69)90319-1 (bibliographic details confirmed. No abstract is publicly available)
30. Tan SN et al. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2020;2020:8068797. doi:10.1155/2020/8068797
    Used in: Is cave-harvested edible bird’s nest really safe?
31. Tan SN et al. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2020;2020:8068797. doi:10.1155/2020/8068797
    Used in: Is birdhouse edible bird’s nest “farmed” ?
32. Wahyuni DS, Latif H, Sudarwanto MB, Basri C, Thong D. An investigation of heavy metals in edible bird’s nest from Indonesia using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Veterinary World. 2022;15(2):509-516.
    Used in: Is cave-harvested edible bird’s nest really safe?
33. Wahyuni et al. “An investigation of heavy metals in edible bird’s nest from Indonesia” Veterinary World, vol.15(2), 2022, pp.509–516. DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2022.509-516 (heavy metals before and after washing. The editorial desk checked the original)
    Used in: Has edible bird’s nest been washed?
34. Wang M-H, Wang Z-F, Yuan M, Yang C-G, Wang D-L, Wang S-Q. Changes in the Serum and Tissue Levels of Free and Conjugated Sialic Acids, Neu5Ac, Neu5Gc, and KDN in Mice after the Oral Administration of Edible Bird’s Nests: An LC–MS/MS Quantitative Analysis. Separations. 2024;11(4):107. doi:10.3390/separations11040107
35. Yang H. et al. “Comprehensive site- and structure-specific profiling of N-glycosylation of edible bird’s nest (EBN) proteome using label-free quantitative glycoproteomics”Food Chemistry, vol.469, 2025, 142535. DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2024.142535 (127 N-linked glycoproteins; house 72 / cave 63 / 8 in common. Abstract confirmed)
    Used in: What is edible bird’s nest made of?
36. Yeo B-H, Tang T-K, Wong S-F, Tan C-P, Wang Y, Cheong L-Z, Lai O-M. Potential Residual Contaminants in Edible Bird’s Nest. Frontiers in Pharmacology. 2021;12:631136. doi:10.3389/fphar.2021.631136
    Used in: Grades look at appearance. They do not look at the process
37. Zulkefle et al. “A Review on the Edible Bird’s Nest Quality and Manufacturing Standards of the Three Largest Exporting Countries in the World”Journal of Food Quality, 2024. (the 2011 nitrite problem, and quality control by country. We have not confirmed the full text)
    Used in: Is edible bird’s nest really a bird’s nest?

Official and institutional material (4)

1. Bioeconomy Corporation official site (accessed 30 August 2026).
2. Bioeconomy Corporation “20 Years of Bioeconomy Corporation Contribute RM39.9 Billion to Malaysia’s GDP” official announcement.
3. Department of Veterinary Services Malaysia “Spatial Distribution of Edible Bird Nest Houses in Peninsular Malaysia Based on Different Land Use Type” (distribution of 5,614 premises registered between 2014 and 2017)
   Used in: Is it all right for the swiftlets if we take the nests?
4. Forest Department Sarawak “The Wild Life (Edible Birds’ Nests) Rules 1998 / Edible Birds’ Nests Licence” (Sarawak’s licensing regime for harvesting, sale, export and premises)
   Used in: Is it all right for the swiftlets if we take the nests? / Grades look at appearance. They do not look at the process

Interviews (5)

These are accounts given to TSUBAMEDIA directly. They are published with the permission of the individuals or of the institutions they belong to. Who we have interviewed is set out on Contributors and interviewees.

1. Interview with Prof. Salam Babji and Assoc. Prof. Lim Seng Joe (Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia). 14 March 2026, Kuala Lumpur. Permission to publish obtained.
2. Interview with Napiar (GLYKEN, responsible for birdhouse maintenance and management). March 2026, Johor, Malaysia. Permission to publish obtained.
3. TSUBAMEDIA reporting on the ground in Desaru, Johor, Malaysia (2026)
4. Reporting in Malaysia (2025): Prof. Abdul Salam Babji (Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia) and others working in the local edible bird’s nest industry
5. Interview with Mohamed Faizal Noor Batcha (Head of Department, Project Development and Management, Office of the CEO, Malaysian Bioeconomy Development Corporation). Permission to publish obtained. Name, title and department confirmed by him on 31 August 2026.