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Shikimic Acid (CAS 138-59-0) is an essential trihydroxycyclohexenecarboxylic acid that occupies a central role in organic chemistry, biological pathways, and global pharmaceutical supply chains. Known biochemically as a critical metabolite in the shikimate pathway of plants, bacteria, and fungi, it serves as the key precursor for the synthesis of the antiviral drug Oseltamivir Phosphate (Tamiflu). In addition, its unique stereochemistry makes it a highly sought-after chiral building block for agricultural chemicals, cosmetics, and functional food additives.
Historically extracted from Chinese star anise (Illicium verum Hook. f.), Shikimic Acid has experienced significant market transformations. Today, industrial buyers and formulation scientists prioritize securing high-purity bulk supplies that offer pricing stability, chemical consistency, and reliable shipping. As a leading hub for chemical and phytopharmaceutical production, China dominates the global supply chain, leveraging local botanical abundance and advanced microbial synthesis technologies.
The global demand for Shikimic Acid bulk powder fluctuates alongside public health requirements, specifically seasonal influenza trends and stockpiling mandates by national governments. Because Oseltamivir remains the frontline defense against pandemic influenza strains (including H1N1, H5N1, and H7N9), the pharmaceutical industry represents the largest consumer of industrial-grade Shikimic Acid. During pandemic warning periods, market volume expands exponentially, requiring suppliers to have robust production scaling capabilities.
Beyond pharmaceuticals, green chemistry initiatives have opened new industrial pathways. Researchers utilize Shikimic Acid as a renewable starting material to replace petroleum-derived aromatics. It serves as a precursor for adipic acid synthesis and bio-based plastics, which addresses the rising corporate social responsibility targets of international enterprises.
China is uniquely positioned to lead the global supply of Shikimic Acid due to a combination of geological monopoly and bioprocessing prowess:
Over 80% of the world's star anise cultivation occurs in Southwest China, primarily in Guangxi and Yunnan provinces. This geographic concentration ensures that Chinese manufacturers have direct access to raw biomass, insulating them from the high logistics costs associated with international raw material shipping.
Modern Chinese factories have transitioned from relying solely on seasonal agricultural harvesting to leveraging metabolic engineering. By utilizing engineered Escherichia coli or yeast fermentation platforms, Chinese manufacturers can supply high-purity Shikimic Acid year-round, bypassing weather anomalies.
Equipped with state-of-the-art multi-stage crystallization, vacuum drying, and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) testing equipment, Chinese exporters deliver product grades that consistently meet and exceed USP and European Pharmacopoeia standards.
To assist procurement managers and quality assurance teams in evaluating bulk Shikimic Acid shipments, the table below outlines the standard industrial specifications for pharmaceutical and high-grade cosmetic applications.
| Parameters | Standard Specification (Pharmaceutical Grade) | Cosmetic / Chemical Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | White to off-white crystalline powder | White crystalline powder |
| Assay (HPLC) | ≥ 98.5% | ≥ 98.0% |
| Melting Range | 185°C - 190°C | 184°C - 188°C |
| Specific Rotation | -175° to -183° (c=1, H2O) | -170° to -180° |
| Loss on Drying | ≤ 1.0% | ≤ 2.0% |
| Heavy Metals (as Pb) | ≤ 10 ppm | ≤ 20 ppm |
| Arsenic (As) | ≤ 2 ppm | ≤ 3 ppm |
| Total Plate Count | ≤ 1000 cfu/g | ≤ 1000 cfu/g |
Shikimic Acid operates across several distinct industries, each utilizing its specific biochemical properties:
The Shikimic Acid industry is moving rapidly toward sustainable, bio-based extraction. As global enterprises mandate decarbonization across their supply chains, manufacturers are scaling up green biotechnology methods. Microbial fermentation using renewable carbon sources (such as glucose derived from agricultural waste) represents the future of bulk production, decoupling the chemical from the agricultural crop cycles of star anise.
Additionally, regulatory compliance is tightening. The European Union's REACH regulation and the FDA's strict raw material monitoring require exporters to maintain comprehensive documentation, including detailed residue analysis, solvent limit compliance reports, and carbon footprint tracking.
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Global procurement teams must consider quality, supply stability, and logistics when choosing a Shikimic Acid supplier. Use this operational checklist when negotiating bulk purchases with Chinese exporters:
Many suppliers in the marketplace are trading agencies rather than primary manufacturers. Sourcing directly from an established factory (such as Shaanxi ShineHerb Biotech Co., Ltd., located in the Hi-Tech Zone of Xi'an) ensures cost efficiency and direct control over technical specifications.
Ask the supplier to specify their extraction source. While traditional extraction from Star Anise is preferred by clean-label cosmetics brands, biotechnological fermentation provides a more sustainable, stable-priced alternative for large-scale pharmaceutical projects. Request clear documentation on the extraction method to ensure it aligns with your brand standards.
Ensure that extraction batches are checked for organic solvent residues (such as methanol or ethanol) using gas chromatography (GC) to verify compliance with USP <467> residual solvent limits. Heavy metals (Lead, Cadmium, Arsenic, Mercury) must be verified to be below 10ppm to prevent regulatory issues at customs.
Bulk Shikimic Acid is typically packed in 25kg fiber drums with double food-grade polyethylene inner bags. Because it is slightly hygroscopic, ensure the product is stored in cool, dry conditions away from direct sunlight. The shelf life is generally 24 months when stored under optimal conditions.
Quick answers to common questions about technical specifications, supply capacities, and purchasing logistics.
The standard commercial purity for pharmaceutical-grade Shikimic Acid is ≥98.0%, and ≥98.5% when tested via High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Cosmetic-grade formulations typically feature a purity level of 98%.
Botanical extraction relies on harvesting star anise (Illicium verum), which can lead to pricing volatility due to crop yields and weather conditions. In contrast, microbial fermentation uses engineered bacteria to produce Shikimic Acid in controlled bioreactors, offering stable pricing, high purity, and a consistent supply year-round.
For seamless customs clearance, ensure your exporter provides ISO 9001, FDA registration, GMP compliance certificates, Kosher/Halal certifications, and full batch-specific documentation, including a Certificate of Analysis (COA) and MSDS.
Standard industrial packaging is 25kg double-PE bags placed within cardboard drums. Typical air shipping lead times are 5 to 7 working days, while sea freight takes 15 to 30 days depending on your port location. ShineHerb Biotech also offers DDU and DDP shipping terms to simplify delivery.
Yes, we support testing by independent third-party laboratories such as SGS, Eurofins, or Pony Testing. We can coordinate sample submissions to ensure transparency before shipping large orders.
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