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Villagers in some parts of India use the water extract of the ash obta

June 1, 2025 by rawan239

Villagers in some parts of India use the water extract of the ash obtained by burning banana plant as a substitute of soda. Which one of the following is the major active component in the extract ?

Sodium Carbonate

Potassium Carbonate

Calcium Oxide

Magnesium Oxide

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CAPF – 2009

Download PDF Attempt Online

The major active component in the water extract of ash obtained by burning banana plants, used as a substitute for soda, is Potassium Carbonate.

Plants absorb minerals from the soil, including potassium, sodium, calcium, and magnesium. When plant material is burned, the organic components are removed, leaving behind the mineral residues, primarily as carbonates or oxides. Banana plants are known to accumulate significant amounts of potassium. Burning plant material rich in potassium leads to the formation of potassium carbonate (K₂CO₃). This alkali compound, when extracted with water, yields a solution of potassium carbonate, which has alkaline properties similar to soda (sodium carbonate or sodium bicarbonate).

Historically, wood ash was a common source of potassium carbonate (potash), used in making soap, glass, and as a leavening agent (pearl ash). Different plant species yield ash with varying compositions, but potassium is often a dominant cation in land plants.

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