Abstract: The sources and applications of the bioactive substance squalen that widely exists in animals and plants are reviewed.According to the citations,the most abundant sources of squalene in animals are deep-sea fishes,especially sharks,in which the highest content of squalene is approached to 69% based on liver oil.Amaranth seed oil,olive oil and palm oil are the major plant sources of squalene.The content of squalene is 5 %-8% in amaranth seed oil,and the highest content is 1.16% in olive oil.Because of the strong bioactivity,squalene is widely used in medical care fields and in cosmetics.Squalene is easy to oxidize,so it must be kept with suitable antioxidant during storage.

Key words: squalene, bioactive substance