Agar

Agar is a gel-like substance derived from red algae, commonly used in laboratories as a solid growth medium for culturing microorganisms like bacteria and fungi. When mixed with nutrients and heated, agar dissolves in liquids; upon cooling, it solidifies into a firm, stable surface that provides a supportive environment for microbial growth. It is valued because it remains stable at high temperatures, is non-toxic to most microbes, and is easy to prepare. Agar is widely used in microbiology to isolate and identify microorganisms, support research, and conduct diagnostic testing.