Analysis of (-)-Shikimic Acid in Chinese Star Anise by GC-MS with Selected Ion Monitoring

A sensitive, specific, accurate, and reproducible GC-MS method with selected ion monitoring for quantitative determination of (-)-shikimic acid (SA) in Chinese star anise, using benzoic acid as internal standard, has been developed and validated. The homogeneity of the sample was evaluated by one way analysis of variance. The extraction efficiency of ultrasound-assisted and Soxhlet extraction was compared. Results showed that ultrasonic extraction was as efficient as Soxhlet extraction but was more rapid and simpler. Linearity and recovery were good. The method was used for analysis of (-)-SA in Chinese star anise from different areas in Wenshan state, Yunnan province. It was found that Chinese star anise collected from Pingbian and Funing counties contained more (-)-SA than other samples, with two plants from Pingbian county containing > 15% (-)-SA.