NMR determination of site specific deuterium distribution in squalene from different sources

The H-2 NMR spectra of squalene from shark liver oil and olive oil sources were investigated by the SNIF-NMR technique. The areas of the absorption signals of the olefinic, methylene and methyl sites were carefully determined, and the deuterium distribution among the various sites was shown to depart from the statistical distribution in a way that is different for squalene from different sources. The results are discussed in connection with the different biosynthetic pathways of squalene involved in plants and animals.