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