Description
Agarose is the neutral polymer component of agar. Agar belongs to the group of galactopolysaccharides, which are the intracellular matrix of red algae/seaweeds of the Rhodophyta (red algae phylum). Agar is naturally slightly sulphated and is a complex mixture of polysaccharides. Agarose forms a solution when heated and condenses into a gel when cooled. Gel formation is due to the formation of a double helix of molecular chains, which creates a water-fixing network. Agarose is commonly used for the analysis of nucleic acids by gel electrophoresis or blotting (Northern or Southern), and is also suitable for protein analyses such as Ouchterlony and Radial Immunodiffusion (RID). Ethidium bromide and SYBR Green background staining is low.
Chemical Properties
Granular free flowing
Uses
Ideal for the separation of small DNA fragments (e.g., PCR products) differing in size by as little as 2% and compares to the resolution of DNA in polyacrylamide gels. High resolution agarose is also ideal for resolving amplification fragment length polymorphisms (AmpFLP), short tandem repeats (STR) and tri- and tetranucleotide repeats.
Low ethidium bromide and SYBR Green background staining
Uses
Routine use agarose is ideal for everyday analysis of nucleic acids by gel electrophoresis or blotting (Northern or Southern) and is also suitable for protein applications such as Ouchterlony and radial immunodiffusion (RID). Has low ethidium bromide and SYBR Green background staining.
Uses
Agarose is frequently used in molecular biology for the separation of large molecules, especially DNA, by electrophoresis. Slabs of agarose gels (usually 0.7 - 2%) for electrophoresis are readily prepared by pouring the warm, liquid solution into a mold. A wide range of different agaroses, of varying molecular weights and properties are commercially available for this purpose. Used in high resolution protein electrophoresis, immunoelectrophoresis, electro immunoassays such as rocket assays, counter current electrophoresis.
Definition
agarose: A carbohydrate polymerthat is a component of agar. It is usedin chromatography and electrophoresis.
General Description
Agarose, a natural polymer is obtained from sea algae. This neutral linear polysaccharide is made up ofd-galactose and 3,6-anhydro-l-galactose. These are connected alternatively with the help of glycosidic bonds. Agarose has high significance in gel electrophoresis and gel chromatography.
Agricultural Uses
Agarose is a partially methylated neutral polysaccharide
used for making gel.
Biochem/physiol Actions
Agarose is used as bioink, because of its characteristic properties such as, biocompatibility, mechanical strength and gelling ability at low temperature.
Synthesis
Preparation of a low-gelling-temperature agarose:
1. An agarose solution is reduced with sodium borohydride.
2. After alkalization, ethylene oxide is added dropwise at low temperature for hydroxyethylation.
3. The pH is adjusted to neutral, and the product is fractionally precipitated with hot isopropanol.
4. The precipitate is crushed, washed, dried, and sieved.
