Question

Agar is obtained from:

• A. Gelidium
• B. Gracilaria
• C. Both Gelidium & Gracilaria
• D. None of these

Hint:

Agar, derived from red algae, has a wide range of applications, including in laboratory culture media, food processing, and as a vegetarian substitute for gelatin.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Agar is a gelatinous substance that is derived from specific red algae. Among the known sources are the algae Gelidium and Gracilaria. Both of these species produce high-quality agar that is widely used in various applications, such as microbiological culture media, food industry thickening agents, and even in pharmaceuticals.

Explanation: Agar is extracted from the cell walls of these red algae. The process involves boiling the algae to dissolve the agar, followed by purification steps to remove any impurities. The gel-forming properties of agar come from its ability to form stable, reversible gels even at low concentrations. Given its robust thermoreversible nature, agar remains solid at relatively high temperatures and can be liquefied by heating.

Hence, option "Both Gelidium & Gracilaria" is the correct choice since agar is obtained from either of these two algae sources.