05039

Agar

suitable for microbiology

• Synonym(s): Agar-agar, Gum agar
• Linear Formula: (C₁₂H₁₈O₉)_n
• CAS Number: 9002-18-0
• EC Number: 232-658-1
• MDL number: MFCD00081288
• eCl@ss: 42040102
• NACRES: NA.74

Properties

• Quality Level: 100
• sterility: non-sterile
• form: powder
• ign. residue: ≤5%
• loss: ≤12% loss on drying
• pH: 6-7.5 (1.5%after autoclaving)
• mp: 85-95 °C
• transition temp: gel point 33-37 °C (1.5% solution, after autoclaving)
• gel strength: >800 g/cm² (1.5% gel, Nikkan, after autoclaving)
• solubility: H₂O: 1.5% at 70 °C, clear to very faintly turbid, almost colorless
• application(s): agriculture; microbiology

Description

General description

Agar is a complex gelatinous carbohydrate, and is added to the LB broth (Lysogeny broth, Luria broth, Lennox broth, or Luria-Bertani medium), in order to form gel for bacteria to grow upon. LB Broth is the most widely used nutritionally rich medium, for the culture and growth of bacteria. There are several different formulations of Lb broth, but the composition is generally the same comprising of peptides and casein peptones, trace elements, mineral and vitamins.

Agar has been used as reagent for the following studies:

• Plant cell culture studies.
• As medium supplement for the growth of wild-type Arabidopsis thaliana (ecotype Columbia) and transgenic seeds.
• For the solidification of culture medium of cork oak somatic embryos.
• It may be used for incubation of single antibody-forming cell to investigate the plaque formation.
• Agar suspension culture may be used for the analysis of cell transformation of palyoma virus.

Safety Information

• Storage Class Code: 11 - Combustible Solids
• WGK: WGK 1
• Personal Protective Equipment: dust mask type N95 (US), Eyeshields, Gloves