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How to extract starch from cycads and other plants
Contributed by: Kay
  • 1. What is the primary goal of starch extraction from cycads?
A) To obtain a usable food source by removing toxins
B) To produce animal feed
C) To create biofuel
D) To make fertilizer
  • 2. Which of these plants is NOT typically used for starch extraction?
A) Rose
B) Cycad
C) Arrowroot
D) Sago Palm
  • 3. What is the most common toxin found in cycads?
A) Solanine
B) Cyanide
C) Cycasin
D) Oxalic acid
  • 4. Why is thorough leaching crucial in cycad starch extraction?
A) To increase starch yield
B) To improve the taste
C) To change the color
D) To remove poisonous compounds
  • 5. Which process involves repeatedly washing the pulp with water?
A) Fermentation
B) Grinding
C) Decanting
D) Leaching
  • 6. What tool is often used for the initial processing of cycad stems?
A) Microscope
B) Pipette
C) Oven
D) Axe or machete
  • 7. What consistency should the cycad pulp have before leaching?
A) Dried
B) Whole
C) Boiled
D) Finely grated or shredded
  • 8. How is starch typically separated from the water after leaching?
A) Freezing
B) Sedimentation and decanting
C) Centrifugation (but less common traditionally)
D) Boiling
  • 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) Careful decanting of the water
B) Immediate drying
C) Adding more toxins
D) Mixing with other ingredients
  • 11. How is the extracted starch usually dried?
A) Freezing
B) Sun drying
C) Boiling
D) Microwaving
  • 12. What indicates that the starch is sufficiently dried?
A) It remains sticky
B) It smells sweet
C) It turns green
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 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) 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 add flavor
B) To increase starch content
C) To preserve the starch
D) To help break down plant material and toxins
  • 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 makes the starch whiter
B) It maximizes toxin removal
C) It saves water
D) It speeds up the process
  • 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) Complete darkness
B) High humidity
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 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) Wearing gloves
C) Avoiding ingestion of raw or improperly processed material
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 smooth texture
C) A bright white color
D) A bitter taste or strong odor after cooking
  • 23. What's an alternative plant, besides Cycads, from which starch can be extracted?
A) Pine
B) Oak
C) Birch
D) Cassava
  • 24. What is the purpose of pounding or grinding the plant material?
A) To add flavor
B) To make it easier to dry
C) To break down cells and release the starch
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) Tank leaching
B) Boiling method
C) Pit leaching
D) Direct sunlight extraction
  • 26. How does fermentation aid starch extraction?
A) Adds specific flavors
B) Increases starch content
C) Breaks down cellular structures and toxins
D) Acts as a preservative
  • 27. What is the goal of repeated washing in the leaching process?
A) To improve starch color
B) To make starch easier to dry
C) To increase the starch yield
D) To dilute and remove toxins
  • 28. How can traditional communities identify edible Cycad varieties?
A) Random selection
B) Chemical analysis
C) Genetic testing
D) Traditional knowledge and cultural practices
  • 29. In terms of plant physiology, what part stores the starch?
A) Leaves
B) Bark
C) Cortex and Pith of the stem (primarily)
D) Flowers
  • 30. Which of these factors affects the starch extraction yield?
A) Plant age, Species, Extraction Method (all of the above)
B) Soil Color
C) Air Pressure
D) Moon phase
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