Abstract: Wheat is one kind of major grain crops grown in China. Wheat germ, a major by-product from wheat-milling industry, is a natural nutrition-rich source for human health. A variety of bioactive components such as lectin, glutathione, vitamin E, octacosanol and flavonoids are observed in wheat germ. These components not only have antioxidant, anti-depression and anticancer functions, but also can improve exercise performance. In this paper, extraction, purification and functional properties of these bioactive components have been discussed. In addition, the applications of wheat germ in the fields of food, healthcare and cosmetics have also been introduced.

Key words: wheat germ, bioactive component, application