Shikimic acid (3,4,5-trihydroxy-1-cyclohexene-1-carboxylic acid), a natural organic compound, is an important intermediate in the biosynthesis of lignin [1], aromatic amino acids (phenylalanine, tyrosine, and triptophane), and most alkaloids of plants and microorganisms [2–4].

Which intermediate compounds are formed in shikimic acid pathway?

Shikimic acid pathway provides amino acids such as phenylalanine and tyrosine which are used for protein synthesis and also serve as substrate for secondary metabolite biosynthesis such as phenolic acids (Ali, Singh, Shohael, Hahn, & Paek, 2006).

Which compound is precursor in the synthesis of shikimic acid?

Phenylalanine and tyrosine are the precursors used in the phenylpropanoids biosynthesis. The phenylpropanoids are then used to produce the flavonoids, coumarins, tannins and lignin. The first enzyme involved is phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) that converts L-phenylalanine to trans-cinnamic acid and ammonia.