To characterize the role of hen eggs used for analyzing the insect Mylabris phalerata a traditional Chinese medicine for curing liver cancer, egg white was separated from the whole egg and added to M. phalerata. The volatile compounds found in egg white when added to M. phalerata and therefore in M. phalerata itself were analyzed by GC. Cantharidin was detected both in egg white added to M. phalerata and M. phalerata itself. Egg white can be used as a favourable solvent for extracting the active ingredient of M. phalerata.