Merck, A5306-250G, Bacteriological agar

General description
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.
Application
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

Biochem/physiol Actions
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.
Analysis Note
A purified agar in which the original naturally occurring pigments, salts and miscellaneous matter have been reduced to a minimum.