Agar Agar Powder (Bacteriological Grade)

Agar Agar Powder is used as a solidifying constituent in Microbiological Culture Media. It gives a stable surface for organisms to grow in the Culture Vessel which aids in the observation of colony morphology. This bacteriological grade, Agar Agar Powder, is widely used practically for all pathogenic and non-pathogenic bacteria as well as fungi. It does not inhibit the growth of microorganisms.

It is an unbranched polysaccharide extracted from red algae species such as Gelidium. Furthermore, it lacks nutritional value and melts at approximately 100°C and easily solidifies at room temperature. Hence, it does not affect bacteria growth and is perfect to work with at room temperature. It remains intact and doesn’t break down by microorganisms. It can be used in plates, bottles, and slants. It has good firmness, elasticity, clarity and stability. Agar Agar Powder has a high mineral/metal content and thus is advantageous to use in certain Culture Media.

It is an off-white to creamish-coloured free-flowing powder having a particle size that can pass through a 40 ASTM screen. It swells but does not dissolve when suspended in cold water. However, it is soluble in hot water, and solubility is facilitated by soaking the powder in cold water. Agar Agar is prepared from species of red seaweeds specially selected for their agar gel production, using stainless steel equipment and observing good manufacturing practice. It is an unbranched polysaccharide extracted from Gelidium. It is suitable for clinical, bacterial and yeast transformation studies. Bacteriological Agar is generally used in a concentration of 1 – 2% for Microbiological Culture Media preparations, 0.5% for motility testing and 0.1% maximum for anaerobes and microaerophiles growth.