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