Question 6 from UPSC CSE 2014 - Science and Technology

Question

Consider the following statements:
1. Maize can be used for the production of starch.
2. Oil extracted from maize can be a feedstock for biodiesel.
3. Alcoholic beverages can be produced by using maize.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

IASCODEX · Accepted Answer

Correct Option: D. 1, 2, and 3

Strategy: Evaluate the provided statements about maize outputs—starch, oil, and alcoholic beverages—against known facts to determine their validity and select the correct option.

Key Info: Maize (Zea mays), commonly called corn, is a major cereal crop globally and in India. It is utilized for multiple industrial and edible purposes.

**Key Industrial Uses**

- **Starch:** Maize is a primary source of commercial starch, processed in wet-milling industries for use in food products, textiles, paper, and pharmaceuticals.
- **Oil:** Maize (corn) oil is extracted from the germ and, like soybean or canola oil, can serve as a feedstock for biodiesel production due to its fatty acid composition.
- **Alcoholic beverages:** Maize is a crucial fermentable carbohydrate for various traditional and commercial alcoholic drinks. Examples include bourbon whiskey (U.S.), chicha (South America), and corn-based beers in Africa and Asia. The starches are converted to sugars and fermented by yeasts.

Maize also supports industries ranging from poultry feed and human consumption to pharmaceuticals. Its versatility as a bioresource makes it central to the global economy and agriculture.

IASCODEX · Answer

Option A: 1 only

IASCODEX · Answer

Option B: 1 and 2 only

IASCODEX · Answer

Option C: 2 and 3 only

Consider the following statements: Maize can be used for the production of starch. Oil extracted from maize can be a feedstock for biodiesel. Alcoholic beverages can be produced by using maize. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Consider the following statements:

Maize can be used for the production of starch.

Oil extracted from maize can be a feedstock for biodiesel.

Alcoholic beverages can be produced by using maize.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?