STUDIES ON A NEW METHOD IN PRODUCTION OF GRACILARIA AGAR WITH DILUTE ALKALI TREATMENT

This paper describes a new method in producing agar from Gracilariaby treatment with dilute alkali prior to extraction. The raw material was trcated withan AWS solution containing 3-4% sodium hydroxide at a temperature of 78--80℃ for3 hr or at a lower temperature for longer time. The yield and gel strength of the agarproduced were higher than those treated with usual concentration of sodium hydroxidesolution.