Successful preparation and characterization of biotechnological grade agarose from indigenous Gelidium amansii of Taiwan

► Efficiently preparing biotechnological grade agarose from Taiwanese Gelidium amansii. ► Significantly reducing EDTA treatment time from 4 d to 1 d. ► Improving agarose quality by using novel, heat-compatible ion exchange chromatography. ► Requiring less isopropanol to achieve biotechnological grade agarose preparation. ► Acquiring agarose of excellent properties ideal for biotechnological applications.