Agar by MP Biomedicals is a high grade reagent. Also known as agar-agar, this is a solidifying agent obtained from algae. It is derived from the polysaccharide agarose, which forms the supporting structure in the cell walls of certain species of algae, and is released on boiling. Since agar is strongly hydrophilic and can slowly absorb about 20 times its weight of cold water, it will swell in the process. Hot water is usually necessary to solubilize agar and it is insoluble in alcohols. Agar is built from two components: the linear polysaccharide agarose, and a heterogeneous mixture of smaller molecules called agaropectin. CAS No. 9002-18-0 Quantity Provided: 1 kg per pack Soluble in water Agar is widely used in chemical and biological sectors. Agar is used in microbiology and bacteriology to make solid culture media for microorganisms. It is used to substitute for gelatine, isinglass, etc. in making emulsions including photographic, gels in cosmetics, and as thickening agent in foods esp. confectionaries and dairy products; in meat canning; in production of medicinal encapsulations and ointments; as dental impression mould base; as corrosion inhibitor, sizing for silks and paper; in the dyeing and printing of fabrics and textiles; in adhesives.