agar ( agar-agar )
The polysaccharides agarose and agropectin,
occurring as cell-wall constituents of red marine
algae (genera Gelidium, Gracilaria, etc.), from
which it is extracted by hot water. It is
available as a dry powder, flakes, or strips. Agar
is the metallic (usually calcium) salt of a
sulfuric acid ester of a complex polysaccharide of
gelactose, but its exact structure is not
understood. It dissolves in hot water and, upon
cooling, sets to a jelly at concentrations as low
as 0.5%. It is used as a gelling and stabilizing
agent, as a misciformis sizing for silk, and as an
adhesive emulsifying agent. (72 )
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