Agar is a substance that is commonly used in laboratories for various purposes, including microbiology and molecular biology. It is also used in the food industry as a thickening agent, and in the production of cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. In this article, we will explore the definition and meaning of agar, its origin, associations, synonyms, antonyms, and examples of its usage.
Definitions
Agar is a jelly-like substance that is extracted from seaweed, specifically from the cell walls of red algae. It is commonly used as a culture medium for growing bacteria and other microorganisms in laboratories. Agar is also used as a thickening agent in food products, such as desserts and soups.
Origin
Agar was first discovered in the late 1650s by a Japanese scientist named Mino Tarōzaemon. He found that agar could be extracted from red algae and used as a gelling agent in food. Since then, agar has been widely used in various industries, including microbiology, food, and cosmetics.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, agar is defined as “a gelatinous substance obtained from certain marine algae, used as a culture medium for microorganisms and in the manufacture of various products.”
Merriam-Webster defines agar as “a gelatinous substance derived from seaweed and used as a base for bacterial culture media and as a stabilizer and thickener in food.”
Associations
Agar is commonly associated with microbiology and molecular biology, as it is used as a culture medium for growing bacteria and other microorganisms in laboratories. It is also associated with the food industry, where it is used as a thickening agent in various products.
Synonyms
Some synonyms of agar include:
- Agar-agar.
- Gelidium.
- Kanten.
- Carrageenan.
- Seaweed extract.
Antonyms
There are no direct antonyms for agar, as it is a specific substance with unique properties.
The same root words
Agar is derived from the Malay word agar-agar, which means “jelly.” The word agar is also related to the Sanskrit word agar, which means “unbreakable.”
Example Sentences
- The microbiologist used agar as a culture medium to grow bacteria in the laboratory.
- The chef added agar to the soup to thicken it.
- The cosmetics company used agar as a stabilizer in their products.
- The pharmaceutical company used agar in the production of their medications.
- Agar-agar is a popular ingredient in Asian desserts.