Protocol for the extraction and purification of shikimic acid from Escherichia coli fermentative media
Shikimic acid (SA) is a valuable pharmaceutical precursor used in drug synthesis. Here, we present a protocol for isolating and purifying SA from Escherichia coli cultures. We describe steps for combining cell disruption, centrifugation, filtration, preparative anion-exchange chromatography, elution, and lyophilization. We detail procedures for identifying SA-containing fractions by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, followed by ethanol-based recrystallization and FTIR characterization of the purified product. This protocol provides an integrated downstream processing strategy for microbial SA production.
Authors
- Lúcia Santos (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2712-0622)
- Manuel V. Simões (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3355-4398)
- Margarida M. S. M. Bastos (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8605-0054)
- Ana Cristina Afonso (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4926-8935)
- Pedro Silva (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3750-6497)
Institutions
- Universidade do Porto (PT)
Publication Details
- Journal
- STAR Protocols
- Published
- 2026-10-27
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xpro.2026.104919
- Primary Topic
- Microbial Metabolic Engineering and Bioproduction
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- European Commission
- Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
- HORIZON EUROPE Widening Participation and Strengthening the European Research Area