Products Description of Shikimic Acid CAS#138-59-0

Shikimic acid is a white crystalline solid that dissolves readily in water. It was named after Japanese shikigrass, the plant from which it was first isolated. As an important metabolite found in plants and microorganisms, shikimic acid plays a key biological role. Traditionally, it has been primarily obtained from the dried mature fruits of Illicium species, commonly known as Japanese aniseed. In recent years, additional extraction sources have been reported, including the fruits of Liquidambar formosana and pine needles.

Product Application of Shikimic Acid CAS#138-59-0

Shikimic acid serves as an important precursor in the synthesis of various alkaloids, aromatic amino acids, indole derivatives, and chiral pharmaceuticals. In recent years, it has been widely used as the starting material for the production of oseltamivir (the active component of Tamiflu), a neuraminidase inhibitor employed in the treatment and prevention of influenza A and influenza B.

It is also applied in the development of antitumor agents and functions as a key intermediate in the synthesis of anticancer drugs such as dioxin derivatives and glyoxalase inhibitors.

In addition, shikimic acid is used as a reference standard for the quantitative analysis of shikimic acid content in root apex tissues, and as a substrate in shikimic acid kinase activity assays.