A7002

Agar

ash 2.0-4.5%

• Synonym(s): Agar-agar, Gum agar
• Linear Formula: (C₁₂H₁₈O₉)_n
• CAS Number: 9002-18-0
• EC Number: 232-658-1
• MDL number: MFCD00081288
• UNSPSC Code: 50405901
• eCl@ss: 42040102
• NACRES: NB.22

Properties

• biological source: algae (Rhodophyceae)
• Quality Level: 200
• form: flakes; powder or crystals
• technique(s): tissue culture: suitable
• ash: 2.0-4.5%
• gel strength: 600-1200 g/cm² (1.5%, 20 ^oC)
• InChI: 1S/C14H24O9/c1-5-8(16)13-11(7(21-5)4-20-13)23-14-10(18)12(19-2)9(17)6(3-15)22-14/h5-18H,3-4H2,1-2H3/t5?,6-,7?,8-,9+,10-,11?,12+,13+,14?/m1/s1
• InChI key: GYYDPBCUIJTIBM-DYOGSRDZSA-N

Description

General description

Agar is a polysaccharide consisting of β- D-galactopyranosyl and 3,6-anhydro-α-L- galactopyranosyl units. Depending on the source agar exists as various substituted forms such as methyl and sulphate ether. It is a linear galactan polysaccharide isolated from the cell wall of Rhodophyceae class of seaweeds.

Application

Agar has been used:

• as a component of solid N6 complete medium
• in modified Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium for culturing germinating lentil and faba bean seeds and in the regeneration of transgenic cauliflower and broccoli explants
• as a component of agar mixture to simulate a vascular phantom in carotid vessel

Biochem/physiol Actions

Agar exists in left-handed helical conformation and aggregation of hexagonal fibers leads to gel formation. The hydrophobicity of the disaccharides determines its gelling property and solubility. Agar is a major component of the microbial solid medium. It has applications in tissue engineering, pharmaceutics and in cell encapsulation.

Safety Information

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