Biology/agar
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Question
hi, i am just wondring if you would know the composition of Oxoid agar no. 3e(i.e.Carbs,protein,fat %) or know where i could find it? iv looked on the Oxoid site,but all i can find is a CAS no. for it which is 9002-18-0 ?
Hi Lori: Thanks for your question. Agar is a complex polysaccharide derived from seaweed. It is a non-nutritive agent that gives strength and flexibility to microbiological media. Most of the time, we add nutritional material to the agar to make a more complex and nutritious mix for bacteria. Hence you will see Tripticase Soy Agar (TSA), for example.
I checked the Oxoid site as well, and got no information either.
Here is a paper that describes the composition of agar. Perhaps this is what you're looking for.
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=2218814
I hope this answer has helped you. Please write back if you have more questions.
FM Rollwagen, PhD
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Florence M Rollwagen
Expertise
I can answer questions in biology, microbiology and immunology on the undergraduate or graduate level. I can also address medical and health concerns regarding alternative medicine, autoimmune diseases (lupus, MS) liver disease and intestinal problems.
Experience
I have over 20 years experience in research and teaching at the medical/graduate level, and 5 years teaching college biology and microbiology. My expertise is in microbiology and immunology, specifically the biology of cytokines and soluble immune response modifiers. I also carried out original research in blood substitutes and shock/trauma.
Organizations
American Association of Immunologists (AAI)
American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
Publications
Journal of Experimental Medicine, Journal of Immunology, Cytokine, Shock, Experimental Hematology
Education/Credentials
BS biology 1966
MS biology 1968
PhD immunology 1979
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