Agar-Agar

Agar agar is the gelatinous substance tFind out what is agar agar and where agar agar powder is used. Know the nutrient agar to grow bacteria, agar jelly and agar flakes for making cakes and icecreams.hat is obtained from red algae. It is also called agar or "kanten" in Japan and used as food thickener and vegetable gum

Agar agar is a vegetarian vegetable gum as it is derived from plant material. Agar jelly is also the substitute for gelatin that is an animal product.

Gracilaria lichenoides is the prime source of agar agar that is a seaweed in the Western coast of the United States and some parts of Asia. In order to make agar agar, the seaweed is first boiled then cooled, purified and then dried. In market you can get agar powder, agar flakes, agar blocks and even granules.

E number for agar agar is E406 and extensively used to make ice-creams. Besides this agar agar is a chief ingredient in some parts of Asia and Japan. It is used in making soups and jellies. Agar agar also acts like food thickener. Earlier agar agar was used in the laboratories for the growth of culture medium as it is not a protein but a polysaccharide.

Nutrient Agar

Nutrient agar agar acts as a solid surface to contain medium to grow fungi and bacteria. Nutrient agar is in solid form but commercially it is available as agar agar powder that can be mixed with water to form the growth medium.

Agar Agar in Plant Biology

Agar agar is used in the process of seedling germination where it acts as a nutrient and vitamin rich supplement. As it is not a protein based gum so it wont turn into bacterial soup like gelatin. Agar agar will act as a medium on which bacteria can feed on. It will remain stable during this.

Agar Agar in Recipes

Besides so many used agar agar is used in many kinds of recipes and mostly the cakes. Mostly in the recipes, agar agar powder or agar flakes are used. The water and powder quantity is written in the pack. Follow the instructions properly as the agar jelly will set under certain specific conditions only.

Advantages of Agar Agar

• Agar agar is purely vegetarian as it is obtained from the seaweed.
• Agar agar has no taste, color or odour.
• It can set at room temperature and can retain its form even if the temperature goes up.
• Agar jelly is more firm than gelatin jelly.
• It can be taken to ease the upset stomach.
• Agar Agar is rich in Iodine and has traces of some minerals.