Squalene
Squalene is a triterpene lipid found naturally in both animal sources (notably shark liver oil) and several plant sources, including amaranth seed. Arceli's SquaActive™ is a 99%-purity, Amaranthus-derived squalene.
Squalene is a linear triterpene hydrocarbon, biosynthesized as a precursor in sterol synthesis (including cholesterol, in animals). It is a hydrophobic compound — soluble in oils and non-polar solvents, insoluble in water.
In cosmetic use, squalene functions as an emollient, contributing to skin hydration and barrier support. In pharmaceutical use, squalene-based oil-in-water emulsions (most notably MF59) have been studied and used as vaccine adjuvant components, where published research describes squalene-based emulsions enhancing antigen-specific immune response. SquaActive™ is a component-ingredient supplier story for this application — a plant-based alternative to shark- or olive-derived squalane, not a tested vaccine formulation in its own right.
Amaranthus-derived squalene is isolated and purified from amaranth seed oil via CO₂ extraction and purification to a guaranteed 99% purity, verified by HPLC.
- Cosmetic emollient and anti-aging formulation
- Non-comedogenic, clean-beauty positioning
- Vaccine-adjuvant precursor component (pharmaceutical use)
- Drug delivery and wound-care applications
Arceli Lifescience