Analytical method for determination of shikimic acid: Shikimic acid proportional to glyphosate application rates

An uncomplicated, benign-by-design analytical method for the determination of shikimic acid in plant tissue was developed. The method is simple and automated entailing a water extraction followed by liquid chromatographic analyses. Use of reagents, solvents and generation of waste are minimized, and the use of toxic/hazardous reagents is eliminated as compared to other shikimic acid or glyphosate techniques. Recoveries for a series of fortified plant tissues ranged from 85% to 104%. A 20-day field trial on spring wheat was initiated to demonstrate capability of this technique on real world plant matrices. Shikimic acid was found to be directly proportional to glyphosate application rates on wheat plant tissue samples tested.