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