Biocatalytic synthesis of shikimic acid

A method of synthesizing shikimic acid from a carbon source comprising converting the carbon source to shikimic acid with a recombinant E. coli aroF comprising the gene encoding a FBR isoenzyme D-arabino-3desoxi heptulosonato-7-phosphate synthase insensitive feedback inhibition by aromatic amino acids or other aromatic molecules, the gene encoding 3-dehydroquinate synthase, the gene encoding 3deshidroquinata dehydratase, and the gene encoding shikimate dehydrogenase in a fermentation medium and controlling the molar ratio of shikimic acid to quinic acid by reducing or eliminating the balance of shikimic acid to quinic acid by adding an analog nonhydrolyzable glucose is methyl glucopyranoside to the fermentation medium, wherein the gene encoding the kinase of shikimate in recombinant E. coli is completely removed or in part, or it is mutated, therefore removing, inhibiting or reducing the activity of shikimate kinase.