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Thickeners and gelling agents

Agar

Also known as Gelose, Ceylon, Chinese gelatin

CAS 9002-18-0Formula C14H24O9Molar mass 336.34 g/molEC 232-658-1
61 suppliers listed
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Agar chemical structure, C14H24O9, CAS 9002-18-0
2D chemical structure

Key facts

What buyers check first

All properties
CAS number
9002-18-0
Formula
C14H24O9
Appearance
Transparent strips or coarse or fine powder
Solubility
Slowly sol in hot water to a viscid soln
HS code
294000
Category
Thickeners and gelling agents
Illustrative photo, fine white powder in a white HDPE jar on a laboratory bench
Typical packagingIllustrative packaging image, not the actual product

What is Agar?

Plain description, key identifiers and synonyms

Agar is a chemical substance with the molecular formula C14H24O9 and a molar mass of 336.34 g/mol. Its CAS registry number is 9002-18-0. The IUPAC name is (2R,3S,4S,5R)-2-(hydroxymethyl)-6-[[(4R,5S)-4-hydroxy-3-methyl-2,6-dioxabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-8-yl]oxy]-4-methoxyoxane-3,5-diol.

Identifiers

Registry numbers, names and line notations, tap to copy

IUPAC name
(2R,3S,4S,5R)-2-(hydroxymethyl)-6-[[(4R,5S)-4-hydroxy-3-methyl-2,6-dioxabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-8-yl]oxy]-4-methoxyoxane-3,5-diol
CAS number
9002-18-0
EC number
232-658-1
Molecular formula
C14H24O9
MDL number
MFCD00081288
INCI name
AGAR
InChIKey
GYYDPBCUIJTIBM-DYOGSRDZSA-N
InChI
InChI=1S/C14H24O9/c1-5-8(16)13-11(7(21-5)4-20-13)23-14-10(18)12(19-2)9(17)6(3-15)22-14/h5-18H,3-4H2,1-2H3/t5?,6-,7?,8-,9+,10-,11?,12+,13+,14?/m1/s1
Canonical SMILES
COC1C(O)C(CO)OC(OC2C3COC2C(O)C(C)O3)C1O
Isomeric SMILES
CC1[C@H]([C@H]2C(C(O1)CO2)OC3[C@@H]([C@H]([C@H]([C@H](O3)CO)O)OC)O)O

Synonyms

  • Gelose
  • Ceylon
  • Chinese gelatin
  • Japan isinglass
  • (2R,3S,4S,5R)-2-(hydroxymethyl)-6-[[(4R,5S)-4-hydroxy-3-methyl-2,6-dioxabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-8-yl]oxy]-4-methoxyoxane-3,5-diol
  • Bengal gelatin
  • Layor carang
  • Bengal isinglass
  • Ceylon isinglass
  • Japan agar
  • Japanese gelatin
  • Macassar gelatin
  • Agar agar flake
  • Chinese isinglass
  • Vegetable gelatin
  • Isinglass, japanese
  • Agar (Gelidium spp.)
  • Digenea simplex mucilage
  • Kantenmatsu
  • Agargel
  • Phytagar
  • macassar gum
  • Agaropectin, mixt with agarose
  • Agarose, mixt with agaropectin
  • Difco bacto agar
Show all 38 synonyms
  • Seaweed,agar,raw
  • GAM medium
  • Agar, unspecified
  • Oxoid III
  • Seaweed,agar,dried
  • (2R,3S,4S,5R)-2-(hydroxymethyl)-6-(((4R,5S)-4-hydroxy-3-methyl-2,6-dioxabicyclo(3.2.1)octan-8-yl)oxy)-4-methoxyoxane-3,5-diol
  • Seaweed, agar, raw
  • Oxoid L 11
  • S 100 (polysaccharide)
  • INS NO.406
  • Agar (gracilaria gracilis)
  • Agar (gracilaria confervoides)
  • Bengal

Physical and chemical properties

Measured values and descriptors computed from the structure

Physical and chemical properties

Measured values, check the supplier specification for your grade

Appearance
Transparent strips or coarse or fine powderexp.
Odour
Odorlessexp.
Taste
Tastelessexp.
Solubility
Slowly sol in hot water to a viscid solnexp.

Values vary by grade. Ask suppliers for the COA or TDS of the batch you buy.

Computed descriptors

Calculated from the structure, useful for screening and formulation

Molecular weight
336.34 g/molcalc.
Exact mass
336.142 Dacalc.
LogP (octanol/water)
-2.63calc.
Topological polar surface area
127.1 Ųcalc.
Hydrogen bond donors
4calc.
Hydrogen bond acceptors
9calc.
Rotatable bonds
4calc.
Heavy atoms
23calc.
Rings
3calc.
Aromatic rings
0calc.
Fraction sp3 carbons
1calc.
Formal charge
0calc.
Stereocentres
10calc.
Lipinski rule of five
Passes (0 violations)calc.

Calculated for screening. Confirm critical figures with the supplier.

Murcko scaffold

The ring system that remains when every side chain is removed

Murcko scaffold of this chemical, C1CCC(OC2C3CCOC2CO3)OC1

C1CCC(OC2C3CCOC2CO3)OC1

3 rings, 15 atoms.

4 other chemicals share this scaffold

Safety and hazards

GHS classification summary, not a safety data sheet

No GHS hazard classification is recorded for this substance yet. That does not mean it is harmless.

GHS classification summary, not a safety data sheet (SDS). Classifications can differ by supplier, grade and concentration. Always check the supplier's SDS.

Agar suppliers

Sponsored listings first, then the documented ranking: membership, verification, replies, completeness, freshness and ratings

All 61 suppliers
30 of 30 offers
  • Triconor Distribution B.V.
    Netherlands, HilversumUnclaimed profile
    AgarGrade, purity and minimum order on request
    Price on request
    View
  • Tradeasia International Pte. Limited
    Thailand ManufacturerUnclaimed profile
    AgarGrade, purity and minimum order on request
    Price on request
    View
  • Onbio Inc.
    United StatesUnclaimed profile
    AgarGrade, purity and minimum order on request
    Price on request
    View
  • Chemtradeasia
    SingaporeUnclaimed profile
    AgarGrade, purity and minimum order on request
    Price on request
    View
  • True Commerce Global Ventures Private Limited
    India ManufacturerUnclaimed profile
    AgarGrade, purity and minimum order on request
    Price on request
    View
  • Aksh Industries Inc.
    Canada, Mississauga ManufacturerUnclaimed profile
    AgarGrade, purity and minimum order on request
    Price on request
    View
  • A & Z Group Co., Ltd
    China, Hangzhou ManufacturerUnclaimed profile
    AgarGrade, purity and minimum order on request
    Price on request
    View
  • Antec, Inc.
    United StatesUnclaimed profile
    AgarGrade, purity and minimum order on request
    Price on request
    View
  • Biomatik Corporation
    Canada, CambridgeUnclaimed profile
    AgarGrade, purity and minimum order on request
    Price on request
    View
  • Requim Ltda
    Colombia, Bogotá ManufacturerUnclaimed profile
    AgarGrade, purity and minimum order on request
    Price on request
    View

Suppliers marked Unclaimed profile have not claimed their profile yet. They are not verified by CompoundList, their offers are price on request and details may have changed, so please confirm them with the supplier. Company representatives can claim a profile with a business email on the company's own website domain. Our team verifies each claim and sends the result by email.

Where suppliers are based

61 suppliers in 15 countries

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Agar price

Indicative price range per kg from live supplier offers

No published prices right now

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Uses and applications

What the substance is used for, by industry and function

Ingredient of culture media in microbiology, antitackiness & antistalling agent in baked goods, ingredient in desserts & beverages, laxatives & health foods, PET foods, impression materials, ingredient in pharmaceutical preparations, waveset preparations, laboratory agent in chem & biological applications.

In prodn of medicinal encapsulations and ointments, as dental impression mold base, as corrosion inhibitor.

Sizing for silks and paper, dyeing and printing fabric and textiles, in adhesives, vet: laxative for dogs and cats, demulcent.

Use classes: Food additives, Cosmetics.

Cosmetic ingredient, INCI name AGAR(binding, fragrance, viscosity controlling)

Pharmacological actions

  • Culture Media

Roles

  • additive
  • algal metabolite
  • eukaryotic metabolite
  • food additive
  • food component
  • food gelling agent
  • metabolite
  • physiological role

Functional uses

  • Binder
  • Deodorizer
  • Emulsifier
  • Filler
  • Flavouring and nutrient
  • Fragrance
  • Processing aids not otherwise specified
  • Surface modifier
  • Thickening agent
  • Viscosity modifier

Cosmetic functions

  • Binding
  • Fragrance
  • Viscosity controlling

How it is made

Harvesting, extraction, & processing of various red-purple species of algae of the class rhodophyceae

The agar can be extracted from the seaweed with hot water, followed by freezing and thawing for purification. Commercial extraction procedures involve washing, chemical extraction, filtration, gelation, freezing, bleaching, washing, drying, and milling.

Regulatory status

Inventories, regulations and trade controls that list this substance

Health and food

  • EU cosmetic ingredient inventory
  • Food additive

United States

  • TSCA inventory (USA)
    Status: Active in US commerce, Regulatory flags: Exempt from Chemical Data Reporting

HS code and trade data

Customs classification and reported world trade statistics

Global trade

World import and export statistics for the HS code Agar is traded under.

HS 2940.00Indicative HS code

Sugar ethers, sugar acetals and sugar esters, and their salts, other than the products of heading 29.37…

World exports in 2024
$1.4B
−5.4% vs 2023, imports $1.42B
2019 to 2024
Top exporters
  1. Germany23.7%
  2. China20.6%
  3. United States11.5%
Top importers
  1. United States14.0%
  2. Japan7.4%
  3. Germany6.1%
Reported customs values in USD, not prices.Full trade data

The HS code shown for Agar is indicative (it was assigned by structure rules). Confirm the classification with your customs broker before shipping.

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Agar, based on the data on this page

What is Agar?

Agar is a chemical substance with the molecular formula C14H24O9 and a molar mass of 336.34 g/mol. Its CAS registry number is 9002-18-0. The IUPAC name is (2R,3S,4S,5R)-2-(hydroxymethyl)-6-[[(4R,5S)-4-hydroxy-3-methyl-2,6-dioxabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-8-yl]oxy]-4-methoxyoxane-3,5-diol.

What is the CAS number of Agar?

The CAS registry number of Agar is 9002-18-0.

What is the molecular formula and weight of Agar?

The molecular formula of Agar is C14H24O9 and its molar mass is 336.34 g/mol.

What is Agar used for?

Ingredient of culture media in microbiology, antitackiness & antistalling agent in baked goods, ingredient in desserts & beverages, laxatives & health foods, PET foods, impression materials, ingredient in pharmaceutical preparations, waveset preparations, laboratory agent in chem & biological applications.

Is Agar hazardous?

No GHS hazard classification for Agar is recorded on CompoundList yet. That does not prove it is safe. Always read the supplier safety data sheet.

What is the HS code of Agar?

Agar is usually classified under HS code 294000 (Sugars, chemically pure, other than sucrose, lactose, maltose, glucose and fructose…). This is indicative, confirm it with your customs broker before shipping.

Where can I buy Agar?

CompoundList lists 61 suppliers of Agar in United States, China, India, Germany and 11 more. Send one free request to get and compare quotes. Your contact details stay private until you accept a quote.

Where can I buy Agar in India?

8 suppliers in India list Agar on CompoundList. Filter the suppliers list by country and send a request to compare prices, grades and delivery times.

What is the price of Agar?

Suppliers quote Agar on request because prices depend on grade, purity, quantity and destination. A free request on CompoundList gets you several quotes to compare.

Guides for buyers

Practical guides that help when you source, ship or handle Agar

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Data last updated 7 Oct 2026. Details may have changed, please confirm them with the supplier. Report an error on this page
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