Gelrich- Gellan Gum can be used as an alternative to agar for microbiological media, and as a bacterial growth media. It is also ideal medium for plant tissue cultivation. It is particularly useful for the culture of thermophilic microorganisms, as the gels are thermostable and can withstand prolonged incubations at high temperatures. In addition, acceptable gel strengths can be obtained using Gelrich at a lower level than agar, and spreader colonies do not become too large. In these microbiological media applications, the high purity of Gelrich and the water-like clarity of the gels are distinct additional advantages.
- The Gellan gum used in tissue culture is low acryl form, giving a firm, clear gel ideal for tissue culture.
- The recommended concentration of Gellan gum is 2-3 grams per liter of medium.
- In plant tissue culture, Gelrich offers a promising alternative to agar because of its purity.
- Gelrich used at one-fifth the agar use level, resists contamination by moulds, is easily washed from the plant tissue for transplanting, and allows clear observation of root and tissue development.
- It is extremely effective at low use levels and forms solid gels at concentrations as low as 0.1%. These are prepared by adding an electrolyte (e.g., a salt, an acid or an anionic surfactant) to a hot gellan solution and then cooling.
