Food & beverage
Gelling agent in desserts, confectionery and bakery fillings.
Ingredients / Hydrocolloids / Agar
Hydrocolloids, thickeners & emulsifiers
Agar (E 406)
Agar for U.S. manufacturers, from vetted producers. FCC / USP grade on request. Download the sample spec sheet, then send us your grade and quantity.
TRACED · CERTIFIED · RELIABLE · TRANSPARENT · TESTED
Key facts
| CAS No. | 9002-18-0 |
|---|---|
| E-number (EU) | E 406 |
| Synonyms | Gelose, Kanten, Bengal, Ceylon, Chinese or Japanese isinglass, Layor Carang |
| Description | Agar is odourless or has a slight characteristic odour. Unground agar usually occurs in bundles consisting of thin, membranous, agglutinated strips, or in cut, flaked or granulated forms. It may be light yellowish-orange, yellowish-grey to pale yellow, or colourless. It is tough when damp, brittle when dry. Powdered agar is white to yellowish-white or pale yellow. When examined in water under a microscope, agar powder appears more transparent. In chloral hydrate solution, the powdered agar appears more transparent than in water, more or less granular, striated, angular and occasionally contains frustules of diatoms. Gel strength may be standardised by the addition of dextrose and maltodextrines or sucrose |
| Solubility | Insoluble in cold water; soluble in boiling water |
| Grades | EU Reg. 231/2012 (E 406) sample spec · FCC / USP available on request for U.S. food/pharma use |
| Origin | Confirmed in every offer; stated per lot on the COA |
| Storage, shelf life, packaging | Per the producer's specification, on request |
What agar is
Agar is a hydrophilic colloidal polysaccharide consisting mainly of galactose units with a regular alternation of L and D isomeric forms. These hexoses are alternately linked with alpha-1,3 and beta-1,4 bonds in the copolymer. Agar is odourless or has a slight characteristic odour. Unground agar usually occurs in bundles consisting of thin, membranous, agglutinated strips, or in cut, flaked or granulated forms. It may be light yellowish-orange, yellowish-grey to pale yellow, or colourless. It is tough when damp, brittle when dry. Powdered agar is white to yellowish-white or pale yellow. When examined in water under a microscope, agar powder appears more transparent. In chloral hydrate solution, the powdered agar appears more transparent than in water, more or less granular, striated, angular and occasionally contains frustules of diatoms. Gel strength may be standardised by the addition of dextrose and maltodextrines or sucrose. Insoluble in cold water; soluble in boiling water. (Source: EU Regulation 231/2012, E 406.)
Applications by industry
Sample specification
Values from EU Regulation 231/2012 (E 406), consolidated text of 18.08.2026. Actual values depend on the producer; the producer's specification and the COA for your lot are available on request.
| Assay | The threshold gel concentration should not be higher than 0,25 % |
|---|---|
| Loss on drying | Not more than 22 % (105 °C, 5 hours) |
| Ash | Not more than 6,5 % on the anhydrous basis determined at 550 °C |
| Acid-insoluble ash (insoluble in approximately 3N Hydrochloric acid) | Not more than 0,5 % determined at 550 °C on the anhydrous basis |
| Insoluble matter (after stirring for 10 minutes in hot water) | Not more than 1,0 % |
| Starch | Not detectable by the following method: to a 1 in 10 solution of the sample add a few drops of iodine solution. No blue colour is produced |
| Gelatin and other proteins | Dissolve about 1 g of agar in 100 ml of boiling water and allow to cool of about 50 °C. To 5 ml of the solution add 5 ml of trinitrophenol solution (1 g of anhydrous trinitrophenol/100 ml of hot water). No turbidity appears within 10 minutes |
| Water absorption | Place 5 g to agar in a 100 ml graduated cylinder, fill to the mark with water, mix and allow to stand at about 25 °C for 24 hours. Pour the contents of the cylinder through moistened glass wool, allowing the water to drain into a second 100 ml graduated cylinder. Not more than 75 ml of water is obtained |
| Arsenic | Not more than 3 mg/kg |
| Lead | Not more than 5 mg/kg |
| Mercury | Not more than 1 mg/kg |
| Cadmium | Not more than 1 mg/kg |
Download the full spec sheet (PDF)
Documents and sourcing
Droplet promise. Origin confirmed in every offer. Sample lot record on request, from the producer. SDS, allergen and other statements on request. We work with vetted producers and give you access to U.S.- and EU-stocked material through our partner network.
Data sheet, SDS and COA on request. Every delivery ships with a COA linked to the delivered lot.
Questions buyers ask
What is agar used for?
Typical uses by industry. Food & beverage: Gelling agent in desserts, confectionery and bakery fillings. Suitability for your product and market is confirmed with the producer's specification.
Which grades can McBoeck supply?
Food grade to EU Regulation 231/2012 (E 406). FCC / USP grade is available on request for U.S. food and pharma use. Particle size and other grade details follow the producer's specification, on request.
Which documents come with agar?
Every delivery ships with a COA linked to the delivered lot. Origin confirmed in every offer. Sample lot record on request, from the producer. SDS, allergen and other statements on request.
What does the sample spec sheet show?
Limits for assay, loss on drying, ash, acid-insoluble ash (insoluble in approximately 3n hydrochloric acid), insoluble matter (after stirring for 10 minutes in hot water), starch, gelatin and other proteins, water absorption, arsenic, lead, mercury and cadmium, taken from EU Regulation 231/2012. Actual values depend on the producer; the producer's specification and the lot COA are available on request.
How do I get a quote?
Send us the grade, quantity and delivery location through the quote form or at [email protected]. We work with vetted producers and give you access to U.S.- and EU-stocked material through our partner network.
Related hydrocolloids
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Need agar?
Send us the grade, quantity and delivery location. Email [email protected] or call +1 (713) 766-6811.