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