Triturated

Triturated is a term used to describe material that has been ground, rubbed, or crushed into a fine powder or paste by mechanical action. The process of creating a triturate is called triturating, and the resulting material is commonly described as a triturate or triturated material. The degree of fineness can vary and is often specified in procedural notes or pharmacopoeial standards.

Origin and usage: The word derives from Latin triturare, meaning to rub or crush, and entered English through scientific and medical literature.

Applications: In pharmacology and pharmaceutical compounding, a triturate is the powder produced by grinding an active ingredient with a diluent (such as lactose) to create a homogeneous mixture for dosing. Triturates may be described as coarse, intermediate, or fine, depending on the target particle size. In chemistry and material science, triturating a sample (for example a mineral or organic material) helps produce a uniform powder for analysis or spectroscopic measurements.

Equipment and methods: Triturating is commonly performed with a mortar and pestle, often of hard stone or ceramic, though modern laboratories also use mechanical grinders or ball mills. The choice of method affects particle size distribution and homogeneity.

Context and variation: The term is often encountered in historical, pharmacopoeial, or laboratory contexts and is related to milling and pulverization, but generally describes a process of producing a fine, homogeneous powder by friction or impact. In some disciplines, triturates may be prepared with specific diluents or within defined ratios to achieve consistent results.