General Description
Clear, slightly yellow liquid with a faint odor. Density 0.858 g/cm3.
Reactivity Profile
TRANS-SQUALENE(111-02-4) is incompatible with strong oxidizing agents. .
Air & Water Reactions
May become discolored on exposure to air. Insoluble in water.
Health Hazard
ACUTE/CHRONIC HAZARDS: When heated to decomposition this compound emits toxic fumes of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide.
Fire Hazard
This chemical is probably combustible.
Chemical Properties
clear colourless to faint yellow oil
Uses
Bactericide; intermediate in manufacture of pharmaceuticals, organic coloring materials, rubber chemicals, aromatics and surface active agents.
Uses
cosmetic and pharmaceutical excipient
Uses
Squalene is a natural triterpene that plays an important role in the synthesis of cholesterol, steroid hormones, and vitamin D in the human body. Squalene is commonly used as a biochemical precursor i
n the preparation of steroids. Squalene is also a natural moisturizer with low acute toxicity and is not significant human skin irritants or sensitizers.
Definition
ChEBI: A triterpene consisting of 2,6,10,15,19,23-hexamethyltetracosane having six double bonds at the 2-, 6-, 10-, 14-, 18- and 22-positions with (all-E)-configuration.
Production Methods
Squalene is extracted from shark liver or synthesized from hexaphenyl-1,4-butanediyldiphosphonium dibromide and 6,10-dimethyl-5,9-undecadien-2-one (geranylacetone, industrial intermediate in the vitamin E synthesis).
Flammability and Explosibility
Nonflammable
Biochem/physiol Actions
Squalene is a biosynthetic precursor to all steroids. It acts as a cytoprotective agent to normal cells exposed to carcinogens and antitumor agents. Squalene helps in equalizing the blood cholesterol levels. It increases the production of HDL (high density lipoprotein) and the excretion of LDL (low density lipoprotein). This helps in reducing the risk of heart disease and protects the less stable body fats from oxidation. It is also used in treating hypercholesterolemia. Squalene is known to improve the efficiency of cholesterol lowering drugs. It also serves as an antioxidant by preventing the effects of free radical. It protects skin from drying and other environmental conditions such as oxidation, ultraviolet rays and pollutants. Squalene is known to promote wound healing.
target
COX | STAT | FOXP3 | Nrf2 | SOD | GPx
