Shikimic Acid

Critical Pharma Intermediate – Essential for synthesizing antiviral drugs (e.g., Tamiflu®) and antibiotics.

High-Purity Sources – Extracted from star anise (5-8% yield) or fermented (70 g/L) for scalable production.

Biotech Versatility – Engineered into crops for stress resistance and used in chiral synthesis.

Multifunctional Additive – Acts as food preservative, cosmetic brightener, and anti-inflammatory agent.

Sustainable Production – Fermentation methods reduce reliance on plant extraction, cutting costs by 80%.

Product Details

Shikimic acid is a white crystalline substance with high water solubility. It derives its name from shikimi grass (Illicium anisatum), a Japanese plant from which it was initially obtained. This compound serves as a key metabolic intermediate in both plants and microorganisms.

Traditionally, the primary source of shikimic acid has been the dried ripe fruits of Illicium species, particularly Japanese star anise (Illicium anisatum). However, recent studies have explored alternative extraction methods, including isolating shikimic acid from the fruits of sweetgum trees (Liquidambar formosana) and pine needles.

A white crystalline cyclohexene carboxylic acid with high water solubility (180 g/L at 20°C), named after Japanese shikimi grass (Illicium anisatum). This key metabolic intermediate features three chiral centers (3R,4S,5R configuration) and serves as the biochemical precursor to aromatic amino acids (phenylalanine, tyrosine, tryptophan) in the shikimate pathway.