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How to extract starch from cycads and other plants - Exam
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) Sago Palm
B) Rose
C) Cycad
D) Arrowroot
  • 3. What is the most common toxin found in cycads?
A) Oxalic acid
B) Cyanide
C) Cycasin
D) Solanine
  • 4. Why is thorough leaching crucial in cycad starch extraction?
A) To improve the taste
B) To remove poisonous compounds
C) To increase starch yield
D) To change the color
  • 5. Which process involves repeatedly washing the pulp with water?
A) Fermentation
B) Decanting
C) Grinding
D) Leaching
  • 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) Whole
B) Finely grated or shredded
C) Boiled
D) Dried
  • 8. How is starch typically separated from the water after leaching?
A) Sedimentation and decanting
B) Boiling
C) Centrifugation (but less common traditionally)
D) Freezing
  • 9. What is the purpose of allowing the starch to settle?
A) To activate enzymes
B) To separate starch from water and impurities
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) Immediate drying
C) Mixing with other ingredients
D) Adding more toxins
  • 11. How is the extracted starch usually dried?
A) Freezing
B) Sun drying
C) Microwaving
D) Boiling
  • 12. What indicates that the starch is sufficiently dried?
A) It smells sweet
B) It remains sticky
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) The starch won't dry properly
B) The starch will be difficult to grind
C) The starch will be tasteless
D) Toxicity remains, making it unsafe for consumption
  • 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 help break down plant material and toxins
B) To preserve the starch
C) To add flavor
D) To increase starch content
  • 16. Which plant often requires multiple days of leaching due to high toxicity?
A) Wheat
B) Potatoes
C) Rice
D) Cycads
  • 17. What is a benefit of using fresh water for each leaching cycle?
A) It speeds up the process
B) It saves water
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) Left in large clumps
C) Ground into a fine powder
D) Mixed with preservatives
  • 19. What environmental factor is most important during the drying stage?
A) High humidity
B) Freezing temperatures
C) Complete darkness
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 change the color
C) To make it easier to grind
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) 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 smooth texture
B) A sweet taste
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) Cassava
B) Oak
C) Pine
D) Birch
  • 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) Direct sunlight extraction
C) Boiling method
D) Pit leaching
  • 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 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) Traditional knowledge and cultural practices
B) Genetic testing
C) Chemical analysis
D) Random selection
  • 29. In terms of plant physiology, what part stores the starch?
A) Cortex and Pith of the stem (primarily)
B) Flowers
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) Soil Color
D) Moon phase
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