CAS · 9012-36-6
Product Overview
Agarose丨CAS 9012-36-6 is a natural polysaccharide composed of repeating units of D-galactose and 3,6-anhydro-L-galactopyranose. It is derived from agar, a gelatinous substance extracted from certain marine algae. Agarose is prized for its ability to form thermoreversible gels with high gel strength even at low concentrations.
Agarose is extensively used in biotechnology, molecular biology, clinical diagnostics, and pharmaceuticals, particularly for gel electrophoresis, a technique essential for DNA, RNA, and protein analysis.
Product Specifications
| Appearance | White to off-white powder |
|---|---|
| Assay | 90% min |
| EEO (Electroendosmosis) | ≤ 0.13 (−Mr) |
| Gelling Point | 36°C ± 1.5°C (1.5% gel) |
| Melting Point | 88°C ± 1.5°C (1.5% gel) |
| Solubility | Clear colorless solution at 1g in 100ml water |
| Water | 10% max |
| Gel Strength (1% Gel) | ≥ 1200 g/cm² |
| Sulfate | 0.15% max |
| Ash | 0.5% max |
| RNase | None |
| DNase | None |
| Protease | None |
| Endonuclease/Ligase Inhibitory Factor | None |
Applications
1. Gel Electrophoresis (DNA/RNA Separation)
● Agarose is the gold standard medium for horizontal gel electrophoresis.
● Used to separate nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) based on size.
● Allows visualization of genetic material using staining agents (e.g., ethidium bromide, SYBR Green).
2. Protein Purification (Affinity Chromatography)
● Crosslinked agarose beads are used as matrix supports in affinity, ion-exchange, or size-exclusion chromatography.
● Common in the purification of antibodies, enzymes, and fusion proteins (e.g., His-tag or GST-tag purification).
3. Immunological Assays
● Agarose is used in radial immunodiffusion and immunoelectrophoresis.
● Provides a stable medium for antigen-antibody interactions to be visualized and quantified.
4. Cell Culture and Microbiology
● Agarose is used to create semi-solid supports for microbial and mammalian cell culture.
● Low melting point agarose can support embedding of cells or embryos.
5. Tissue Engineering and Drug Delivery
● Biocompatible and biodegradable agarose gels serve as scaffolds in tissue regeneration.
● Used in controlled drug release systems due to its porous structure and hydrophilic nature.
6. Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic Uses
● Serves as a gelling agent or stabilizer in pharmaceutical formulations.
● Used in dermal fillers and cosmetics due to its non-toxic, hydrating properties.
Benefits
1. High Gel Strength at Low Concentrations
● Forms strong gels (even at 0.5–2% w/v) that are ideal for analytical applications.
● Provides excellent resolution for nucleic acid fragment separation.
2. Thermoreversible Gelation
● Melts at ~90–95 °C and gels at ~35–40 °C.
● Allows easy casting, re-melting, and handling without chemical crosslinking.
3. Biocompatible and Non-Toxic
● Inert and biodegradable, making it suitable for biomedical applications.
● Does not interfere with biological molecules or reactions.
4. Defined Porosity
● The pore size of agarose gels is tunable by adjusting concentration.
● Ideal for size-based separation of biomolecules such as DNA fragments or proteins.
5. Minimal Background in Analytical Techniques
● Transparent and low autofluorescence, making it ideal for fluorescent staining.
● Minimal interaction with analytes ensures clean bands and reproducible results.
Conclusion
Agarose丨CAS 9012-36-6 is a vital, multifunctional biopolymer that underpins many modern molecular biology and biochemical techniques. Its ability to form reliable, thermoreversible gels with controllable properties makes it indispensable in electrophoresis, chromatography, immunology, and tissue engineering. The natural origin, low toxicity, and biocompatibility of agarose further enhance its value across scientific, medical, and industrial domains.
Previous
Next