Agar Bacteriological

Bacteriological agar is a colloidal substance and a cell wall component, obtained from Rhodoyceae (marine algae) and Gelidium sp. Agarose combined with agaropectin forms this polysaccharide. It is also called as agar-agar and is a polymer of galactoside. This agar is soluble in boiling water but not in cold water.

Bacteriological agar has been used:

• as a component of ATCC agar for Escherichia coli culture
• as one of the experimental diet feed for Atlantic salmon fry, to study the protein and lysine requirements for maintenance and for tissue accretion
• as component of yeast extract peptone dextrose medium, Luria broth medium and synthetic complete drop out medium for Escherichia coli culture

Bacteriological agar is commonly used as a culture medium for microorganism. It is useful for fermentation process. Agar-agar serves as a preservative in food processing. It also possesses various other applications such as an emulsifier, carrier, lubricant, stabilizer, laxative disintegrant in pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. Agar-agar is also used in photographic emulsion.

A purified agar in which the original naturally occurring pigments, salts and miscellaneous matter have been reduced to a minimum.