Appearance: Similar white or light yellow
Residue on Ignition: <5%
Gel strength:  801-1200/cm2
Ash, Total : <5%
Heavy metals: <20ppm
Lead: <5ppm

    Agar is a polysaccharide complex obtained through bleaching and hot water extraction of agarocytes from the red alga Rhodophyceae, found in the Pacific and Indian Oceans and in the Sea of Japan. The genera Gelidium, Acanthopeltis, Ceramium, Pterocladia and Gracilaria predominate in agar production. Agar is composed of about 70% agarose and 30% agaropectin.2,3

Agarose: A neutral gelling fraction which consists of a linear polymer of alternating D-galactose and 3,6- anhydrogalactose units.
Agaropectin: A non-gelling fraction which consists of ∃-1,3-glycosidically linked D-galactose units, some of which are sulfated at position 6.

    For the preparation of 1 Liter liquid for LB agar plates weigh 10 g tryptone, 5 g yeast extract, 5 g NaCl and 15 g agar. Add 1 mL 1 N NaOH to the dissolved powder. The medium will be autoclaved for 25 minutes. At a temperature of ~50°C, it is still liquid and additives (e. g. antibiotics) can be added. If 32 to 40 mL LB agar per plate are used, one liter will result in approx. 25 to 30 plates. Freshly poured plates cool down with a slightly opened lid and turn them upside down when stored at +4°C.

Ausubel, F.A.. Brent, R., Kingston, R.E., Moore, D.D., Seidman, J.G., Smith, J.A. & Struhl. K. (eds.) (1995) Current Protocols in Molecular Biology. Greene Publishing & Wiley-Interscience. New York.

Store at Room Temperature.