agar (ag´ahr) a dried hydrophilic, colloidal substance extracted from various species of red algae; used in solid culture media for bacteria and other microorganisms, as a bulk laxative, in making emulsions, and as a supporting medium in procedures such as immunodiffusion and electrophoresis.
Agar
agar (
·gärˑ),
a·gar (  gär , ägär) or a·gar-a·gar (gär-gär, ägär-ä-)n. 1. A gelatinous material derived from marine algae, used as a base for bacterial culture media and as a stabilizer and thickener in food. 2. A culture medium containing this material. |
Agar
A gel made from red algae that is used to culture certain disease agents in the laboratory.
Mentioned in: Throat Culture
agar (
·gärˑ),n Latin names:
Gelidium cartilagineum, Gracilaria con-fervoides; part used: thallus; uses: laxative, neonatal hyperbilirubinemia (debated); precautions: pregnancy, lactation, children, can cause coma, gastrointestinal blockage, weakens the body's ability to absorb minerals and vitamins. Also called
agar-agar, Chinese gelatin, colle du japon, E406, gelose, Japanese gelatin, Japanese isinglass, layer carang, or
vegetable gelatin.
Gelidium cartilagineum, Gracilaria con-fervoides; part used: thallus; uses: laxative, neonatal hyperbilirubinemia (debated); precautions: pregnancy, lactation, children, can cause coma, gastrointestinal blockage, weakens the body's ability to absorb minerals and vitamins. Also called
agar-agar, Chinese gelatin, colle du japon, E406, gelose, Japanese gelatin, Japanese isinglass, layer carang, or
vegetable gelatin.
agar
a dried hydrophilic, colloidal substance extracted from various species of red algae. When suspended in a liquid medium and heated to 212°F (100°C), the agar dissolves. When it is allowed to cool to 110°F (43°C) the medium becomes a solid gel. It is used in culture media for bacteria and other microorganisms, in making emulsions, and as a supporting medium for immunodiffusion and immunoelectrophoresis. Because of its bulk it is also used in medicines to promote peristalsis and relieve constipation.
birdseed agar
one containing Guizotia abyssinicia (Niger) seed and creatinine, used for growing Cryptococcus neoformans. Called also Niger agar.
bismuth sulfite agar
a special preparation used for isolation of salmonellae from food.
blood agar
a culture medium used for the growth of bacteria. Consists of agar and intact erythrocytes.
brain heart infusion agar
used for cultivating the yeast phase of dimorphic fungi.
brilliant green agar
used to cultivate salmonellae.
chocolate agar
an enriched agar for the growth of Hemophilus, some Actinobacillus, and Taylorella spp. A molten agar and blood mixture is held at 122°F (50°C) prior to pouring plates. The additional nutrients supplied are hemin and NAD.
agar diffusion test
see antimicrobial sensitivity test.
eosin-methylene blue (EMB) agar
used for the identification of Eschericha coli.
agar gel immunodiffusion test
see immunodiffusion tests.
MacConkey agar
contains bile salts, lactose and neutral red indicator for isolation of enterobacteria.
mannitol salt agar
selective for staphylococci.
milk agar
contains skim milk and used to demonstrate casein digestion.
Niger seed agar
see birdseed agar (above).
nutrient agar
the basic growth medium for bacteria, composed of beef extract and peptone.
potato dextrose agar
used in cultivating fungi; promotes sporulation and pigmentation.
Sabouraud's dextrose agar
one used for isolation of fungi. See also dermatophyte test medium.
agar sausage
see medium sausage.
xylose lysine (XLD) agar
used to differentiate Enterbacteriaceae.
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