Illicium verum/ja: Difference between revisions

Star anise is the major source of the chemical compound [[shikimic acid]], a primary [[precursor (chemistry)|precursor]] in the [[drug|pharmaceutical]] synthesis of the anti-[[influenza]] drug [[oseltamivir]] (Tamiflu). An industrial method for the production of shikimic acid using [[fermentation]] of ''[[E. coli]]'' bacteria was discovered in 2005, and applied in the [[2009 swine flu pandemic]] to address Tamiflu shortages, eventually reversing price increases for star anise as a [[raw material]] of shikimic acid. As of 2018, fermentation of ''E. coli'' was the manufacturing process of choice to produce shikimic acid for synthesis of Tamiflu.