Agar Powder has agarobiose with same disaccharide units with α(1-3) linkage. The major source of agar is the cell wall of seaweed from Rhodophyceae family.
Agar Granulated, is recommended for culture media, disc diffusion susceptibility test where salts have been reduced to minimum. It is also suitable for electrophoretic and immunodiffusion assay including Vitamin assays and tissue culture work.
Quality Control
Appearance
Cream coloured coarse, free flowing powder.
Solubility
Freely soluble in hot water at temperatures above 85°C. Insoluble cold water.
Clarity
A firm solid, clear to slightly opalescent gel is formed at a concentration of 1.5% at 34-37°C.
Dye Diffusion
Agar dye diffusion :- 18-20mm
Reaction
Reaction of 1.5% w/v aqueous solution at 25 °C
pH
6.50 - 7.50
Identification test
Method
As per method specified in USP 37,NF32;
A
Infrared absorption.
B
With Iodine, some fragments of agar appear bluish black, with some areas reddish to violet.
C
Agar forms a clear liquid, which congeals at 30 to 39°C to form a firm resilient gel, which does not melt below 80°C.
Microbial Load
Total aerobic microbial count (cfu/gm)
By plate method when incubated at 30-35°C for not less than 3 days.
Total aerobic microbial count
<= 1000 CFU/gram
Total Yeast and mould count (cfu/gm)
By plate method when incubated at 20-25°C for not less than 5 days.
Total yeast & mould Count
<= 100 CFU/gram
Test for Pathogens
1. E.coli
Negative in 10 gms of sample
2. Salmonella species
Negative in 10 gms of sample
3. Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Negative in 10 gms of sample
4. Staphylococcus aureus
Negative in 10 gms of sample
5. C.albicans
Negative in 10 gms of sample
6. Clostridia
Negative in 10 gms of sample
Test for Water absorption
Method
As per method specified in USP 37,NF32
Absorption
NMT 75 ml of water is absorbed by 5.0 g of agar
Test for Gelatin
Method
As per method specified in USP 37,NF32
Result
No formation of yellow precipitate
Test for Starch
Method
As per method specified in USP 37,NF32
Result
No Formation of blue colour on addition of iodine
Growth Promotion Test
Method
As per method specified in USP 37,NF32
Chemical Analysis
Gelling temperature
34-37°C
Melting range
>=85°C
Water(KF)
<=20%
Calcium
<= 25 ppm
Heavy metals (as Pb)
<= 40 ppm
Lead
<= 10 ppm
Arsenic
<= 3 ppm
Total ash
<=6.5%
Acid insoluble matter (on dry basis)
<=0.5%
Foreign organic matter
<=1.0%
Foreign insoluble matter
<=15 mg in 7.5 gm of Agar
Cultural Response
Cultural response observed after an incubation at 35-37°C for 18-24 hours by preparing Nutrient Agar (M001) using Agar Granulated as an ingredient.
Organism
Growth
Escherichia coli ATCC 25922
Luxuriant
Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853
Luxuriant
Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923
Luxuriant
Salmonella Typhi ATCC 6539
Luxuriant
Streptococcus pyogenes ATCC 19615
Luxuriant
Storage and Shelf Life
Store below 30°C. Use before expiry date on the label.