Description

Odourless or has a slight characteristic odour. Unground agar usually occurs in bundles consisting of thin, membranous, agglutinated strips, or in cut, flaked, granulated or powdered forms. It may be light yellowish orange, yellowish grey to pale yellow, or colourless. It is tough when damp, brittle when dry. Powdered agar is white to yellowish white or pale yellow.

Appearance                               Off white to creamish colour free flowing powder
Solubility (2% soln. at *0ºC)       Soluble in hot water, near to clear
Clarity (1% soln. at **1ºC)*        Near to clear jelly, No ppt.

pH  (2% soln. at *5ºC)               6.0 - 7.0
Loss on drying (at **5ºC)           NMT**8.0%
Acid Insoluble Ash                    NMT*0.5%
Gelling Temp.                           ****0ºC
Melting Temp.                           ****8ºC
Total Ash                                 NMT- 5.0%
Gel Strength (1.5% Gel)            NLT- **0 gm/cm2
Heavy Metals (Pb)                    NMT- *0ppm