MODIFIED AGAROSE AND AGAR AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME

1350024 Agar and agarose ethers and esters MARINE COLLOIDS Inc 10 April 1972 [7 June 1971] 16344/72 Heading C3U A modified agar or agarose which is alkylated, alkenylated or hydroxyalkylated and in which the alkyl groups contain 2-3 carbon atoms, the alkenyl groups contain from 1-3 carbon atoms and the hydroxyalkyl groups contain from 1-4 carbon atoms, in which the increase in the degree of substitution above that of the corresponding unmodified agar or agarose is from 0À01 to 1À0, which is water-soluble, and which has a gelling temperature at least 1‹ C. lower than the gelling temperature of the corresponding unmodified agar or agarose, may be obtained by alkylating, acylating or hydroxyalkylating the agar or agarose to introduce said groups, preferably after reducing the aldehyde end groups with, e.g. NaBH 4 . The reagents specified for use are:- 2-bromopropane, propylene oxide, ethylene oxide, 2-chloroethanol, epichlorohydrin, butylene oxide, diepoxybutane, acetyl chloride, and propionyl chloride.