Separation of Shikimic Acid from Pine Needles of Cedrus Deodara and Its Purity Determination

OBJECTIVE To separate shikimic acid from pine needles of Cedrus deodara and determine its purity. METHODS Shikimic acid was separated by process of water extraction, solvent extraction, silica gel column chromatography, recrystallizing etc. Its structure was identified on the basis of NMR analysis and chemical evidence and its purity was determined by TLC and HPLC. RESULTS The purity of shikimic acid was more than 95% and the total yield was 0.72%. CONCLUSION The method is convenient and reasonable, it can be used to separate the shikimic acid from pine needles of Cedrus deodara.