Biological source, chemical nature and uses of jute MCQs With Answer

Jute is an important bast fiber obtained mainly from Corchorus capsularis and Corchorus olitorius, widely studied in pharmacognosy for its biological source, chemical nature and applied uses. For B.Pharm students, understanding jute’s anatomy, cellulose-rich composition, hemicellulose, lignin and pectin content, and retting/processing methods is essential for evaluating its performance in pharmaceutical materials. Jute’s biodegradability, tensile strength and amenability to surface modification make it valuable for sustainable packaging, biodegradable composites, adsorbents and emerging wound‑care scaffolds. This topic links plant biology, polymer chemistry and formulation science so you can assess jute as a raw material or excipient precursor. Now let’s test your knowledge with 30 MCQs on this topic.

Q1. Which species are the main commercial sources of jute?

• Corchorus capsularis and Corchorus olitorius
• Gossypium hirsutum and Gossypium arboreum
• Hibiscus cannabinus and Hibiscus sabdariffa
• Linseed and flax

Correct Answer: Corchorus capsularis and Corchorus olitorius

Q2. To which botanical family does the genus Corchorus (jute) currently belong?

• Malvaceae
• Fabaceae
• Poaceae
• Asteraceae

Correct Answer: Malvaceae

Q3. Which plant part provides commercial jute fiber?

• Bast (phloem) fibers from the stem
• Seed hairs from the fruit
• Leaf veins
• Root cortex fibers

Correct Answer: Bast (phloem) fibers from the stem

Q4. What is the principal chemical component of jute fiber?

• Cellulose
• Protein
• Lipid
• Starch

Correct Answer: Cellulose

Q5. How is jute classified among natural fibers?

• Bast fiber
• Seed hair fiber
• Leaf fiber
• Mineral fiber

Correct Answer: Bast fiber

Q6. What is the main purpose of retting in jute processing?

• Degrade pectin and mucilage to free fibers
• Remove cellulose from fibers
• Bleach fibers to remove lignin
• Coat fibers with wax for waterproofing

Correct Answer: Degrade pectin and mucilage to free fibers

Q7. Which enzyme group is primarily responsible for action during biological retting of jute?

• Pectinases
• Proteases
• Amylases
• Lipases

Correct Answer: Pectinases

Q8. Typical cellulose content in raw jute fiber is approximately:

• About 60–65% cellulose
• Less than 10% cellulose
• About 90–95% cellulose
• Cellulose is absent in jute

Correct Answer: About 60–65% cellulose

Q9. Jute fibers contain lignin in what approximate amount?

• Low (about 12–15%)
• Very high (about 70–80%)
• Zero lignin
• Almost pure lignin (above 90%)

Correct Answer: Low (about 12–15%)

Q10. Hemicellulose proportion in jute is typically:

• Around 20–25% hemicellulose
• Less than 1% hemicellulose
• More than 80% hemicellulose
• Hemicellulose is not present

Correct Answer: Around 20–25% hemicellulose

Q11. What is the fundamental structural linkage in cellulose found in jute?

• β-1,4-linked D-glucose polymer
• α-1,4-linked D-glucose polymer
• Peptide bonds between amino acids
• Glycosidic bonds of fructose chains

Correct Answer: β-1,4-linked D-glucose polymer

Q12. Which of the following is a traditional industrial use of jute?

• Sacks and packaging material
• Pharmaceutical active ingredient
• Metal corrosion inhibitor
• High-grade textile silk substitute

Correct Answer: Sacks and packaging material

Q13. Which emerging pharmaceutical application has been explored for jute or jute-derived materials?

• Biodegradable composites and wound‑care scaffolds
• Primary antibiotic production
• Intravenous syringe material
• Systemic hormone replacement

Correct Answer: Biodegradable composites and wound‑care scaffolds

Q14. Which mechanical property of jute makes it attractive for material applications?

• High tensile strength and biodegradability
• High electrical conductivity
• Complete insolubility and non‑reactivity
• Elasticity equal to rubber

Correct Answer: High tensile strength and biodegradability

Q15. Why are surface treatments of jute fibers performed before composite fabrication?

• Improve fiber–polymer compatibility in composites
• Turn fibers into synthetic polymers
• Reduce cellulose content to zero
• Make fibers edible

Correct Answer: Improve fiber–polymer compatibility in composites

Q16. Which retting method is traditionally used for jute in many producing regions?

• Water retting
• Dry heat retting
• Radiation retting
• Cryogenic retting

Correct Answer: Water retting

Q17. How does lignin content affect jute fiber properties?

• Increases rigidity and reduces flexibility
• Makes fibers water-soluble
• Removes cellulose from fibers
• Turns fibers into proteins

Correct Answer: Increases rigidity and reduces flexibility

Q18. Jute cellulose can be processed into which common pharmaceutical excipient?

• Microcrystalline cellulose
• Calcium phosphate
• Sorbitol syrup
• Polylactic acid

Correct Answer: Microcrystalline cellulose

Q19. Jute-derived activated carbon is primarily used for:

• Adsorption of dyes and heavy metals from wastewater
• Injectable drug formulation
• As an opioid analgesic
• As a food preservative

Correct Answer: Adsorption of dyes and heavy metals from wastewater

Q20. Jute geotextiles are most often applied for:

• Soil erosion control and mulching
• Intravenous catheter manufacture
• High-voltage insulation
• Precision optical lenses

Correct Answer: Soil erosion control and mulching

Q21. Are jute fibers hydrophilic or hydrophobic, and why?

• Hydrophilic due to cellulose content
• Hydrophobic due to high lipid content
• Amphiphilic because of protein coating
• Inert and non‑wetting

Correct Answer: Hydrophilic due to cellulose content

Q22. Best storage condition to preserve raw jute fiber quality is:

• Cool, dry, low-humidity storage
• Hot and humid storage
• Immersed in water
• Exposed to sunlight and rain

Correct Answer: Cool, dry, low-humidity storage

Q23. Pectin in jute stems functions mainly as:

• A cementing material between cell walls
• A primary energy reserve like starch
• The main structural aromatic polymer
• An enzyme catalyzing retting

Correct Answer: A cementing material between cell walls

Q24. Which reagent is known to dissolve cellulose (used historically to test/handle cellulose)?

• Cuprammonium hydroxide (Schweizer’s reagent)
• Water at neutral pH
• Saturated sodium chloride solution
• Vegetable oil

Correct Answer: Cuprammonium hydroxide (Schweizer’s reagent)

Q25. Why is jute considered a sustainable choice for pharmaceutical packaging?

• Biodegradable and renewable
• Radioactive and long‑lasting
• Non‑biodegradable synthetic origin
• Requires rare earth minerals to produce

Correct Answer: Biodegradable and renewable

Q26. Which anatomical region of the jute stem contains the bast fibers?

• The phloem (bast) region next to the cambium
• The pith at the center of the stem
• Root hair region
• Leaf mesophyll

Correct Answer: The phloem (bast) region next to the cambium

Q27. A major limitation of using raw jute fiber in moist pharmaceutical environments is:

• Prone to microbial degradation and mildew
• Immediate dissolution in water
• Complete chemical inertness
• Radioactivity emission

Correct Answer: Prone to microbial degradation and mildew

Q28. Which treatment is commonly used to improve jute fiber strength and surface properties?

• Alkali (NaOH) treatment or mercerization
• Exposure to concentrated sugars
• Embedding in raw fat
• Freezing in liquid nitrogen only

Correct Answer: Alkali (NaOH) treatment or mercerization

Q29. In composite materials for packaging or biomedical uses, jute typically serves as:

• Reinforcement in polymer composites
• The polymer matrix itself
• A metal alloying agent
• A source of liquid plasticizer

Correct Answer: Reinforcement in polymer composites

Q30. Which of the following is NOT a major chemical constituent of jute fiber?

• Alkaloids
• Cellulose
• Lignin
• Pectin

Correct Answer: Alkaloids

Download