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.

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. 

When you go to a hospital for diagnostic tests, the sample is placed in a gel with agar and peptones.

Most people are familiar with agar for its use in food, however, its importance goes beyond our daily lives. For example, thanks to agar and peptones, it is possible to quickly diagnose a wide variety of infectious diseases.

To put it simply, when you have symptoms of a respiratory, digestive, or urinary system disease, you go to a medical center. There, a sample is taken and placed in a suitable medium to check for the presence of the microorganisms that cause that disease. This medium can be solid agar or liquid enriched with peptones and various substances (carbohydrates, sugar). This creates an optimal environment for bacterial growth, allowing for a rapid diagnosis to determine if the symptoms are related to the presence of certain bacteria in your body. Additionally, different types of antibiotics can be tested in the culture medium to identify the most effective one in treating the bacteria.

What is the difference between Bacteriological Agar, Pharmaceutical Agar, and USP Grade Agar?

The gel strength specifications for bacteriological agar and pharmaceutical agar differ slightly at their extreme ends, however, there is a wide overlap in the middle range. The specifications for these two agars also call for minor differences in the types of QC tests. Functionally, many bacteriological and pharmaceutical agars falling within the middle range of gel strength are interchangeable. USP agar conforms to the US Pharmacopeia Standard, and for most applications, bacteriological and/or pharmaceutical agar are sufficient.

What is Purified Agar? Noble Agar?

Purified Agar, also known as Noble Agar, is a highly purified specialty agar, practically clear and devoid of any nutritive value or reactive properties by design. Purified agar is typically used in immunodiffusion studies as well as in the fields of animal and plant cell culture.

What is the difference between bacteriological agar and food grade agar?

Bacteriological agar and food grade agar are respectively obtained from the gelidium and gracelaria species of seaweed. Both seaweeds are red species, however, gelidium grows in much more limited habitats and is consequently more costly than gracelaria. Attempts to grow bacteria on food grade agar (gracelaria) have been generally unsuccessful.

What is the minimum order quantity?

Our standard packaging is a 25kg sack.

How do I order samples?

Contact your sales representative to request samples. Usually, the sample size is 50g.

What is the maximum lot size?

The maximum lot size is 1,000kg.

What is the shelf life of agar?

Properly stored, agar can last up to 4 years.

What is the lead-time for an order?

It depends on the volume of agar you require. Please contact your sales representative.

In an exciting blend of nature and fashion, the textile industry is embracing more sustainable and environmentally friendly practices by utilizing biodegradable raw materials in clothing, thereby reducing pollution caused by the industry.

One of the increasingly utilized biodegradable materials is agar extracted from algae as an innovative raw material. Leading companies in the textile industry are embracing this ocean treasure to create stylish and conscientious garments.

Unlike other synthetic ingredients such as nylon or polyester, they are eco-friendly and sustainable because they are biodegradable.

One of the benefits of the new use of algae in the fashion industry is their reproducibility since, unlike many traditional textile resources, algae are a renewable source that does not deplete the earth’s resources, making it a more energy and resource-efficient production process.

More and more designers are starting to explore and design with agar-agar, creating various accessories like bracelets, watch straps, earrings, or sneakers. Additionally, in many cases, the packaging they use to sell their products is also made of agar.

As we move towards a more sustainable future, algae are becoming a cornerstone of transformation in the textile industry. Agarmex has decades of experience in algae collection and agar extraction, with a deep understanding of its application and usage.

The genus Gelidium is a red algae that belongs to the Rhodophytas family, characterized by its strong regenerative capacity due to its vegetative growth. 

 For the extraction of this algae from the sea, we use two methods that are complementary, sustainable, safe and that have been legally regulated and employed for decades. These are the picking method and the upwelling method. 

The algae extracted by the picking method are collected from the seabed by professional divers during specific periods and in quantities regulated by the public administration. The harvesting period is from June 1 to October 31 (or earlier if the algae are depleted). 

The algae extracted by this picking method are free of impurities and are the most suitable for the manufacture of bacteriological agar and for use in microbiological media. 

In contrast, the Gelidium algae extracted by the upwelling method do not have a harvesting period and are detached by the action of the sea to make way for a new harvest and remain suspended on the seabed, mature. 

Agarmex acquires algae from the genus Gelidium that have been harvested using both methods for their later sale depending on their various uses. 

These algae extraction methods and the different uses of each agar have both existed for decades and will continue to survive through the regulation of the competent authorities, and through Agarmex’s environmental commitment to the sustainability of resources since 1970.