ˈägə(r) noun
or agar-agar ˌ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˈ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷
( -s )
Etymology: Malay agar-agar
1.
a. : any of various colloidal extractives of certain red algae (as of the genera Gelidium, Gracilaria, and Eucheuma ) that are similar products both in appearance, being usually in the form of translucent strips or flakes or a white powder, and in other physical properties (as ability to swell in cold water and to dissolve in hot water); that may differ in chemical structure, a common type being thought to be essentially a sulfuric acid ester of a linear galactan occurring as salts in the cell walls of the algae; and that are used chiefly in culture media, as bases for dental impression materials, as bulk producers in treating chronic constipation, and as gelling and stabilizing agents in foods (as jellies, dairy products, and canned meat and fish) — called also Chinese gelatin, Chinese isinglass, Japanese gelatin, Japanese isinglass
b. : any of the plants from which agar is obtained
2. : any of various culture media having agar as a solidifying agent
nutrient agar
blood agar