The work aims to introduce the functional characteristics of phosphatidylcholine (PC) and the research ad-vances of its development and utilization, so as to provide some ideas and basis for the development of PC and its func-tional food. The source, distribution, physicochemical properties, functional activity and mechanism of PC were overall summarized by looking up cutting-edge articles, the current application status of PC was summed up, and its future de-velopment was prospected. PC had the functions of lowering blood lipid, regulating blood glucose, preventing cardiovas-cular and cerebrovascular diseases, and could slowly release the neurotransmitter and maintain the function of the drug. It could also be used as the best material for the development of functional food and food packaging coating. From the per-spective of the future development trend, PC, a natural active component with multiple functions, will have a broader de-velopment prospect and more extensive application in food.