What is the primary method of comminution used in pharmaceutical compounding?

• A. Pulverization
• B. Filtration
• C. Granulation
• D. Trituration

Answer: (D)

Comminution is about reducing particle size to create a uniform powder for blending. The primary way this is done in pharmaceutical compounding is triturating, which means grinding a solid in a mortar and pestle until the particles are finer and well dispersed. This direct grinding is versatile, solvent-free, and suitable for many powders, making it the go-to method. Filtration isn’t about breaking particles down; it separates solids from liquids. Granulation actually increases particle size to form granules, improving flow, which is the opposite of what comminution aims to do. Pulverization by intervention uses a solvent to soften or liquefy a solid to facilitate grinding, but it’s a special-case technique for hard-to-grind substances, not the general method.