SQUALENE IN SEBUM AND SEBUM-LIKE MATERIALS

[摘要] Squalene, a triterpenoid, has been found in carcinogenic horse smegma. Using a colorimetric method for detn. of squalene developed by the author (modified Liebermann-Burchard reaction), which permits quantitative recoveries of 700 [mu]g. of squalene, the squalene content of sebum, cerumen, hair oil, human- and horse smegma and lanolin has been tested. Squalene has been found to be a general constituent of sebum-like materials of human origin and of horse smegma and the evidence seems to indicate that it is a naturally occurring substance. The actual chromogen in sebum may be tetracylcosqualene produced by a cyclization of squalene.