Agar, Bacteriological
Intended Use
Agar, Bacteriological serves as a vital solidifying agent, expertly designed for preparing a variety of microbiological culture media. This agar conforms to the rigorous standards outlined in the USP/EP Pharmacopeia, ensuring consistent quality for laboratory applications.
Product Summary and Explanation
Derived from red-purple algae, primarily from the Gelidium spp., Agar has established itself as an essential component in microbiology since its introduction for this purpose in 1881 by Fannie Hesse. By the dawn of the 20th century, it became the preferred gelling agent, supplanting gelatin due to its ability to remain firm at growth temperatures critical for various pathogens. Additionally, it exhibits robust resistance to degradation from bacterial enzymes, thereby enhancing the reliability of pure culture studies.
With a gel state at room temperature, Agar maintains its structural integrity even at elevated temperatures, remaining firm until approximately 65°C. It melts between 85 - 91°C, with a solidification temperature of 34 - 36°C, a phenomenon known as hysteresis. Its inherent properties also allow Agar to withstand shearing forces, although variations in gel strength can be observed among different types of agar.
Specifications
Agar, Bacteriological is characterized by:
- Remarkable clarity for optimal observation
- Controlled gelation and melting temperatures for precise applications
- Exceptional diffusion characteristics to facilitate even distribution
- Absence of toxic bacterial inhibitors, ensuring pure culture growth
- Low levels of metabolically useful minerals and compounds
This agar is particularly recommended for clinical applications, auxotrophic studies, bacterial and yeast transformation studies, and research in bacterial molecular genetics, making it an indispensable tool in modern microbiological research.
