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AGAR-AGAR: THE NEW VEGAN ALLY

One of the main challenges for followers of the vegan movement has been achieving the compact and homogeneous texture characteristic of traditional meat products. The incorporation of agar into this type of recipe has won over consumers and has almost managed to replicate the appearance of conventional sausages. In addition, thanks to its colorless and flavorless properties, it does not alter the recipe either in taste or appearance.

The vegan movement has grown enormously over the years for a wide variety of reasons, including health concerns and the increasing environmental awareness our society has developed. All of this has led to a continuous rise in both meat substitute products and the estimated global population following this lifestyle.

One of the standout products that has made the biggest impact in vegan markets is plant-based sausages. These range from calabizo (a veggie chorizo made from pumpkin) to vegan rice blood sausage, as well as various versions of salami, ham, and mortadella.

In general, these foods are made from soy, some include egg white (making them suitable only for vegetarians), and sometimes beans are used. Although less common, ingredients such as eggplant or pumpkin may also be included.

IS IT POSSIBLE TO EAT HEALTHY GUMMIES? AGAR MAKES IT POSSIBLE

It is hard to imagine that foods which have traditionally not been recommended for regular consumption could be enjoyed in a healthy way.

One example is the vast majority of gummies available on the market. Their production usually involves large amounts of additives and sugars, as well as gelatin of animal origin.

But what is the way to enjoy this unhealthy treat in a healthier manner? It simply comes down to knowing and carefully selecting the ingredients used to make the gummies. More and more manufacturers are leaving additives and sugary juices behind and opting instead for fruit.

The same applies to the gelling agent used in gummies. Many consumers who follow an animal-free diet avoid these sweets because gelatin is derived from animal cartilage and tissues. However, thanks to the properties of agar, there is no need to use so much sugar (since it gels without requiring this ingredient), and it is suitable for vegans, people with celiac disease, and those who follow Kosher and Halal diets.

Agarmex offers the ideal agar for the production of gummies and many other foods. Get in touch with us and we will be happy to help.

THE “FRIENDLY” INGREDIENT FOR PLANT-BASED DIETS

Previously, we have discussed many of the properties of food-grade agar: its thickening and/or gelling function, its contribution to the texture of foods or liquid beverages… but today we focus on its plant-based nature and how we can take advantage of its beneficial properties.

Agar, derived from seaweed, is a plant-based ingredient, and its ability to form a gel when dissolved makes it the perfect choice for consuming plant-based foods and reducing the intake of ultra-processed products.

Its use allows anyone who wishes to follow a plant-based diet—whether for health reasons, environmental awareness, or because they are vegetarian or vegan—to enjoy a more varied diet that is entirely plant-based.

In addition, following a plant-based diet has positive effects on the health of those who adopt it, as well as on animal welfare and the planet. Studies carried out to date comparing plant-based meat with animal-based meat have shown that the former has a significantly lower environmental impact across most of the environmental metrics examined (such as carbon footprint, water footprint, and land use).

Contact our sales team to learn more!

AGAR: AN INNOVATIVE ALTERNATIVE FOR THE DAIRY INDUSTRY

Agar has emerged as a groundbreaking option in the dairy sector and is increasingly being used as an alternative to traditional carrageenans. Unlike carrageenans, which require the addition of external agents for gelation and can affect the flavor, color, and aroma of foods, agar forms a physical gel through the creation of hydrogen bonds, without the need for additional additives. This characteristic allows agar to provide greater stability and extend the shelf life of dairy products, thanks to its low reactivity with milk proteins.

Low-temperature-soluble agars are particularly beneficial, as they prevent protein denaturation during the dissolution process, ensuring a uniform and consistent texture. For this reason, their use has increased in the production of dairy desserts and spreadable cheeses, where they have been shown to improve texture, reduce whey separation, and enhance the cutting properties of cheeses.

Rapid Agar varieties offer innovative solutions for cheeses and fermented dairy products, optimizing both texture and stability in the final products. The grade that dissolves at 80 °C not only enables savings in time and costs, but also preserves the organoleptic properties of heat-sensitive products. Meanwhile, fast-dissolving agars with low gel strength provide a smooth and creamy texture in the finished product.

This shift toward the use of agar not only improves product quality but also represents a positive evolution in formulation practices within the dairy industry.

Contact our experts to answer all your questions!

The Key Benefits of Agar in Pet Food

The pet food market continues to grow globally, driven by increasingly demanding consumers who are looking for nutritious, safe products made with high-quality ingredients.

In this scenario, agar has become a strategic ingredient thanks to the many advantages it offers in the formulation of wet and semi-moist foods and functional snacks.

One of agar’s main strengths is its high gelling capacity, which is superior to that of other hydrocolloids used in the pet food industry.

Its gelation occurs at relatively low temperatures, facilitating more efficient and stable processes during manufacturing.

Agar also stands out for its excellent water retention capacity, helping to prevent moisture loss and exudate, common problems in wet foods.

Another significant advantage is its function as a vehicle for functional ingredients. Agar gel can incorporate vitamins, probiotics, minerals, or other active components without compromising its stability, promoting the creation of healthy snacks aimed at the digestive, bone, or immune well-being of dogs and cats.

In addition, agar is a natural ingredient, free of allergens and suitable for “clean label” formulations, making it a valuable option in a market that is moving towards more transparent, sustainable, and plant-based products.

Together, these characteristics make agar a versatile and highly beneficial ingredient for the pet food industry, allowing for the development of products with higher quality, stability, and nutritional value.

The Health Benefits of Agar for Gut Wellness

Agar, a natural gelatinous substance derived from red algae, has gained popularity not only as a versatile culinary ingredient but also as a powerful supplement for enhancing gut health. As more people seek plant-based and natural options for improving digestion, agar stands out as an excellent choice.

One of the primary benefits of agar is its high dietary fiber content. It acts as a prebiotic, feeding beneficial gut bacteria and promoting a healthy microbiome. A balanced gut microbiota is essential for proper digestion, nutrient absorption, and immune function. Regular consumption of agar can help alleviate common digestive issues such as bloating, constipation, and irregular bowel movements.

Moreover, agar is low in calories and free from fat, making it an ideal addition to a balanced diet. It is also rich in minerals like calcium and magnesium, which support overall gastrointestinal health and muscle function.

Another advantage of agar is its natural ability to absorb toxins and excess fats within the digestive tract, aiding in detoxification. Its gentle, plant-based nature makes it suitable for vegetarians and vegans, providing a non-animal source of dietary fiber and health benefits.

Incorporating agar into daily meals is simple. It can be used as a thickening agent for soups and desserts, or as a supplement in powdered form. Its versatility makes it an easy way to boost fiber intake and promote gut health naturally.

At Agarmex, we are committed to providing high-quality agar products that support your health and well-being.

Explore the benefits of agar and enjoy a healthier digestive system with this natural, plant-based superfood.

Next Stop: Food Tech Summit and Expo 2025!

Agarmex is proud to be participating in the upcoming Food Tech Summit and Expo 2025 once again. This event will take place on 8–9 October at the Citibanamex Center in Mexico City. With over 500 companies now participating, this event is set to be the main gathering for the sector in Latin America, providing a key meeting point for food and beverage industry professionals in the region.

Please visit us at booth 2135 to learn more about our agar-agar production and marketing. This versatile ingredient is widely used in bacterial culture media, the food industry and microbiology. You can also learn about the stabilising and dietary benefits that our agar-agar can offer.

This event will bring together suppliers from the food and beverage technology sector, including companies specialising in starches, enzymes, fibres, chemicals and processing equipment. The Food Tech Summit and Expo offers a dynamic platform combining exhibitions and networking opportunities to foster connections between food and beverage technology professionals.

Over the course of two days, you will have the opportunity to learn about the latest sector innovations. Topics covered will include research and development, food and beverage quality, production processes, technical management, packaging and marketing.

Don’t miss out! Contact us to get your pass and join us at this incredible event. We look forward to seeing you there!

How to Get the Most Out of Agar for Culture Media

Bacteriological agar forms the basis of many culture media. Using it correctly improves the reproducibility and recovery of microorganisms. For this reason, we would like to offer some simple tips to help you make the most of this product.

First, choose the right quality. Purchase bacteriological or microbiological grade agar, considering its gel strength. For applications requiring greater precision, such as cell culture or clinical diagnosis, check the technical data sheet and perform isolated tests before using it on a large scale.

Adjust the product’s concentration according to the desired firmness and technique (spreading, pouring, etc.).

For preparation and thermal management, completely dissolve the agar in the indicated volume of water or medium. Allow it to cool to 45–50 °C before adding heat-sensitive components, such as antibiotics, blood, or substrates, to prevent degradation or denaturation.

Pour plates in a clean area to avoid contamination. Allow the plates to dry slightly with the lid tilted before storing to prevent condensation.

Adjust and check the pH of the medium before sterilizing it. Use distilled or deionized water to prevent ions from altering the gel or the solubility of compounds.

Store solid media in airtight bags or boxes at 4 °C to prevent drying and contamination. Do not reuse used plates.

Finally, record the preparation and storage conditions to facilitate troubleshooting and traceability.

Following these steps will optimize the firmness, transparency, and support capacity of the agar, thereby improving isolation, quantification, and reproducibility in your cultures.

Frozen yogurt gelified with Agarmex agar

The potential of algae as water purifiers

Access to clean and safe water is one of the greatest challenges facing humanity in the 21st century.

Fortunately, nature offers us innovative and sustainable solutions, and one of the most promising is algae.

These often underestimated aquatic organisms have the ability to absorb pollutants and heavy metals from water, making them key allies in the purification and treatment of wastewater. This process, known as phytoremediation, uses algae to remove excess nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, which can cause environmental problems such as the eutrophication of aquatic ecosystems.

How do algae work as natural purifiers?

Algae incorporate heavy metals and other pollutants into their tissues, removing them from the water.

During photosynthesis, algae release oxygen, improving water quality.

Algae consume excess nutrients, reducing the risk of harmful algae blooms and other environmental problems.

To maximize the efficiency of these processes, supports such as agar are used to immobilize the algae and facilitate their handling.

Companies such as Agarmex contribute to this cause by providing high-quality agar for research and water treatment applications.

The use of algae to purify water is a natural, efficient, and sustainable solution that offers numerous benefits.

By harnessing the power of these aquatic organisms, we can move toward a future where clean water is accessible to all.

The use of algae as biofuel

As the world grapples with the challenges of climate change and diminishing fossil fuel reserves, the search for sustainable energy alternatives has never been more urgent. Among the most promising solutions, algae have emerged as a top contender.

These diverse, photosynthetic organisms offer a renewable and environmentally friendly pathway to biofuels, addressing both energy security and sustainability concerns.

Algae are incredibly efficient at capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere, utilizing sunlight and nutrients to produce energy-rich oils and biomass.

These oils can be readily converted into biodiesel, bio-jet fuel, and other valuable biofuels that serve as cleaner, more sustainable alternatives to traditional petroleum-based products. By utilizing CO2 as a feedstock, algae biofuel production can also help mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change.

What sets algae apart from other biofuel sources is that they don’t compete with agricultural land or food production.

Algae can thrive on non-arable land, in salt water, or even in wastewater, maximizing resource utilization and minimizing environmental impact. This makes them an ideal option for regions where traditional agriculture is challenging or unsustainable.

Moreover, the production of algae biofuels can generate valuable byproducts, such as animal feed, fertilizers, and even valuable pharmaceutical compounds, further enhancing the sustainability and economic viability of the process.

Integrating these byproducts into existing value chains creates a circular economy, maximizing resource efficiency and minimizing waste.

As the demand for sustainable fuels continues to rise, algae-based biofuels offer a promising path towards a cleaner, more sustainable energy future. Further research, innovation, and investment in this sector are essential to unlock the full potential of algae and create a greener world for generations to come.