Objective To study the influence of the immersed time by hydrogen dioxide on the characteristics of bovine cancellous bone granules in various periods. Methods Ten 24-month-old Qinchuan bovine, male or female, weighing 150-170 g, were selected. Cancellous bone granules from metaphysic of bovine long bone were cut into cubes of 5 mm × 5 mm ×5 mm and immersed by 8.8 mol/L hydrogen dioxide for 0, 12, 24, 36, 48, 60 and 72 hours separately. Determination of ash, scanning electron microscope, X-ray energy spectrum and micro CT were used to investigate the changes of composition, structure and qual ity of bone. Results With the immersed time increasing, the contents of organics in the bone cancellous were reduced gradually, and obviously decreased during the periods of 0 to 24 hours and 60 to 72 hours (P lt; 0.05). The contents of calcium and phosphorus decreased gradually, they could not be detected almost after 60 days (P lt; 0.05). Bone mineral density and bone mineral content were decreased obviously after 60 hours (P lt; 0.05). The bone trabecula became sl immer and trabecular spacing became larger. Conclusion Hydrogen dioxide can be used to remove the antigen in xenogeneic bone; however as the time increasing (more than 60 hours) the composition and structure will be damaged. Thus it is important to control the immersed time for maintaining the biological characteristics of xenogeneic bone substitute as well as el iminating antigen by hydrogen dioxide.