How to extract starch from cycads and other plants - Exam
  • 1. What is the primary goal of starch extraction from cycads?
A) To produce animal feed
B) To create biofuel
C) To make fertilizer
D) To obtain a usable food source by removing toxins
  • 2. Which of these plants is NOT typically used for starch extraction?
A) Arrowroot
B) Cycad
C) Rose
D) Sago Palm
  • 3. What is the most common toxin found in cycads?
A) Oxalic acid
B) Solanine
C) Cycasin
D) Cyanide
  • 4. Why is thorough leaching crucial in cycad starch extraction?
A) To improve the taste
B) To change the color
C) To increase starch yield
D) To remove poisonous compounds
  • 5. Which process involves repeatedly washing the pulp with water?
A) Grinding
B) Decanting
C) Leaching
D) Fermentation
  • 6. What tool is often used for the initial processing of cycad stems?
A) Pipette
B) Oven
C) Microscope
D) Axe or machete
  • 7. What consistency should the cycad pulp have before leaching?
A) Whole
B) Finely grated or shredded
C) Boiled
D) Dried
  • 8. How is starch typically separated from the water after leaching?
A) Sedimentation and decanting
B) Boiling
C) Freezing
D) Centrifugation (but less common traditionally)
  • 9. What is the purpose of allowing the starch to settle?
A) To increase its nutritional value
B) To separate starch from water and impurities
C) To activate enzymes
D) To preserve it
  • 10. What typically follows the starch settling process?
A) Adding more toxins
B) Immediate drying
C) Careful decanting of the water
D) Mixing with other ingredients
  • 11. How is the extracted starch usually dried?
A) Sun drying
B) Boiling
C) Microwaving
D) Freezing
  • 12. What indicates that the starch is sufficiently dried?
A) It turns green
B) It remains sticky
C) It smells sweet
D) It becomes brittle and easily breaks apart
  • 13. What is the impact of insufficient leaching on the final product?
A) Toxicity remains, making it unsafe for consumption
B) The starch won't dry properly
C) The starch will be difficult to grind
D) The starch will be tasteless
  • 14. Traditionally, what type of container is commonly used for leaching?
A) Large baskets or pits lined with leaves
B) Metal pots
C) Plastic buckets
D) Glass jars
  • 15. What is the function of fermentation in some starch extraction processes?
A) To preserve the starch
B) To add flavor
C) To increase starch content
D) To help break down plant material and toxins
  • 16. Which plant often requires multiple days of leaching due to high toxicity?
A) Rice
B) Cycads
C) Wheat
D) Potatoes
  • 17. What is a benefit of using fresh water for each leaching cycle?
A) It maximizes toxin removal
B) It speeds up the process
C) It makes the starch whiter
D) It saves water
  • 18. After drying, how is the starch typically prepared for storage?
A) Mixed with preservatives
B) Ground into a fine powder
C) Left in large clumps
D) Boiled into a paste
  • 19. What environmental factor is most important during the drying stage?
A) Plenty of sunlight and good air circulation
B) Freezing temperatures
C) Complete darkness
D) High humidity
  • 20. Why might ashes be added to the starch during processing in some cultures?
A) To add flavor
B) To neutralize toxins or act as a preservative (though effectiveness varies)
C) To change the color
D) To make it easier to grind
  • 21. What safety precaution is most crucial when working with cycads?
A) Working in a well-ventilated area
B) Wearing gloves
C) Wearing a mask
D) Avoiding ingestion of raw or improperly processed material
  • 22. What is a visual cue that indicates the starch extraction process might be incomplete?
A) A sweet taste
B) A smooth texture
C) A bitter taste or strong odor after cooking
D) A bright white color
  • 23. What's an alternative plant, besides Cycads, from which starch can be extracted?
A) Birch
B) Oak
C) Pine
D) Cassava
  • 24. What is the purpose of pounding or grinding the plant material?
A) To preserve the plant
B) To make it easier to dry
C) To add flavor
D) To break down cells and release the starch
  • 25. What is the name of the traditional method where starch is extracted in a dugout or lined pit?
A) Boiling method
B) Pit leaching
C) Direct sunlight extraction
D) Tank leaching
  • 26. How does fermentation aid starch extraction?
A) Adds specific flavors
B) Acts as a preservative
C) Breaks down cellular structures and toxins
D) Increases starch content
  • 27. What is the goal of repeated washing in the leaching process?
A) To increase the starch yield
B) To improve starch color
C) To make starch easier to dry
D) To dilute and remove toxins
  • 28. How can traditional communities identify edible Cycad varieties?
A) Chemical analysis
B) Traditional knowledge and cultural practices
C) Random selection
D) Genetic testing
  • 29. In terms of plant physiology, what part stores the starch?
A) Bark
B) Cortex and Pith of the stem (primarily)
C) Flowers
D) Leaves
  • 30. Which of these factors affects the starch extraction yield?
A) Plant age, Species, Extraction Method (all of the above)
B) Soil Color
C) Moon phase
D) Air Pressure
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