squalene

 
Pronunciation: /ˈskweɪliːn/

noun

[mass noun] Biochemistry
  • an oily liquid hydrocarbon which occurs in shark liver oil and human sebum, and is a metabolic precursor of sterols.
    • A triterpenoid; chemical formula: C30H50

Origin:

early 20th century: from Latin squalus (see squalamine) + -ene