Marumerizer Technology MCQs With Answer

Introduction: Marumerizer Technology MCQs With Answer is designed for M.Pharm students studying Pharmaceutical Production Technology (MIP 203T). This blog-style quiz set focuses on the marumerizer (spheronizer) process used to convert extrudates into high-quality spherical pellets. Questions cover theory, equipment components, process parameters, formulation factors, scale-up considerations, troubleshooting, and quality attributes relevant to pellet manufacture. The objective is to deepen conceptual understanding, reinforce practical knowledge for lab and production settings, and prepare students for exams and real-world pharmaceutical manufacturing challenges through targeted, application-oriented multiple-choice questions with clear answers.

Q1. What is the primary function of a marumerizer (spheronizer) in pellet production?

• To dry pellets after coating
• To compress powder into tablets
• To convert extrudates into spherical pellets by applying shear and friction
• To blend active pharmaceutical ingredients with excipients

Correct Answer: To convert extrudates into spherical pellets by applying shear and friction

Q2. Which part of the marumerizer directly imparts the shear forces responsible for spheronization?

• The extrusion die
• The friction plate (rotating plate with ribs)
• The feed hopper
• The outer casing

Correct Answer: The friction plate (rotating plate with ribs)

Q3. Optimal spheronization depends strongly on which property of the wet extrudate?

• Color
• Surface roughness of the extruder barrel
• Plasticity and cohesiveness (wet mass rheology)
• Electrical conductivity

Correct Answer: Plasticity and cohesiveness (wet mass rheology)

Q4. How does increasing friction plate speed generally affect pellet characteristics, assuming other variables constant?

• Decreases sphericity and increases size
• Increases sphericity and may reduce mean particle size due to breakage
• Has no effect on pellet properties
• Only affects pellet color

Correct Answer: Increases sphericity and may reduce mean particle size due to breakage

Q5. Which excipient is most commonly used as a matrix-former in extrusion–spheronization formulations?

• Sodium lauryl sulfate
• Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC)
• Polyethylene glycol 400
• Talc

Correct Answer: Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC)

Q6. What is the typical role of a binder in the wet mass used for extrusion–spheronization?

• To act as a lubricant during tablet compression
• To impart cohesive strength to the wet mass enabling extrusion and spheronization
• To accelerate drying of pellets
• To decrease drug solubility

Correct Answer: To impart cohesive strength to the wet mass enabling extrusion and spheronization

Q7. Which parameter is most important to control for achieving narrow pellet size distribution during spheronization?

• Die orifice diameter during extrusion
• Ambient light intensity
• Operator’s hand pressure
• Color of the formulation

Correct Answer: Die orifice diameter during extrusion

Q8. Excessive residence time on the friction plate usually leads to which undesirable effect?

• Improved pellet porosity
• Over-spheronization causing formation of very smooth but fragile pellets and potential fines
• Increased drug stability
• No change in pellet characteristics

Correct Answer: Over-spheronization causing formation of very smooth but fragile pellets and potential fines

Q9. Which quality attribute is typically assessed to evaluate pellet sphericity?

• Hardness in Newtons only
• Aspect ratio or sphericity index (ratio of minor to major axis) measured by image analysis
• Melting point
• pH of the dissolution medium

Correct Answer: Aspect ratio or sphericity index (ratio of minor to major axis) measured by image analysis

Q10. During scale-up of marumerizer operations, which factor must be carefully matched to maintain pellet quality?

• Operator clothing
• Geometric similarity and specific energy input (shear/energy per mass)
• Color of the friction plate
• Time of day when process runs

Correct Answer: Geometric similarity and specific energy input (shear/energy per mass)

Q11. What is a common troubleshooting step if pellets stick to the friction plate excessively?

• Increase wet mass moisture dramatically
• Reduce surface moisture, adjust formulation lubrication or reduce plate speed
• Replace active pharmaceutical ingredient
• Increase room temperature to 60°C

Correct Answer: Reduce surface moisture, adjust formulation lubrication or reduce plate speed

Q12. Which analytical test best monitors internal porosity and density of pellets produced in a marumerizer?

• Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR)
• Mercury intrusion porosimetry or helium pycnometry for true density
• pH measurement
• Optical rotation

Correct Answer: Mercury intrusion porosimetry or helium pycnometry for true density

Q13. How does increasing binder concentration in the wet mass typically influence pellet production?

• Reduces mechanical strength of pellets
• Enhances cohesion and may produce stronger, less friable pellets but can increase stickiness if excessive
• Has no effect on spheronization
• Decreases dissolution rate of active ingredient always

Correct Answer: Enhances cohesion and may produce stronger, less friable pellets but can increase stickiness if excessive

Q14. Which statement describes the mechanism of shape formation in the marumerizer?

• Pellet sphericity is achieved by thermal fusion only
• Spherical shape develops by rolling, rounding and mass redistribution due to frictional and collisional forces
• Spheronization compresses powder under static pressure
• Shape is predetermined by the die and not modified on the plate

Correct Answer: Spherical shape develops by rolling, rounding and mass redistribution due to frictional and collisional forces

Q15. Which process parameter is critical to control when producing coated pellets to avoid coating defects after spheronization?

• Initial granule color
• Pellet surface smoothness and porosity (affects coating adhesion)
• Magnetic susceptibility of the drug
• Die material composition

Correct Answer: Pellet surface smoothness and porosity (affects coating adhesion)

Q16. Why is moisture content of extrudate prior to spheronization important?

• Moisture has no role in spheronization
• Appropriate moisture ensures plasticity for rounding; too low causes cracking and too high causes sticking
• High moisture increases chemical stability always
• It only affects color of pellets

Correct Answer: Appropriate moisture ensures plasticity for rounding; too low causes cracking and too high causes sticking

Q17. Which advantage is specifically associated with pellets produced by marumerizer technology?

• Inability to coat uniformly
• Improved flow, uniform drug release and reduced dose dumping compared with granules
• Guaranteed immediate release for all drugs
• Lower production costs for all formulations

Correct Answer: Improved flow, uniform drug release and reduced dose dumping compared with granules

Q18. What is a primary limitation of marumerizer (spheronization) compared with fluid bed pelletization?

• It cannot produce spherical particles
• Lower throughput and need for a prior extrusion step can complicate continuous processing
• Produces only coated pellets
• Requires no formulation optimization

Correct Answer: Lower throughput and need for a prior extrusion step can complicate continuous processing

Q19. Which cleaning or maintenance consideration is important for GMP compliance of marumerizer equipment?

• Cleaning only once per year
• Frequent dismantling of friction plate and verification of no product residue, validated cleaning procedures
• Use of abrasive cleaning agents that damage surfaces
• Leaving product residues to aid next batch formation

Correct Answer: Frequent dismantling of friction plate and verification of no product residue, validated cleaning procedures

Q20. In formulation design for extrusion–spheronization, which strategy helps produce low-density, highly porous pellets useful for fast dissolution?

• Maximizing MCC and minimizing porogens
• Incorporating pore-forming excipients (porogens) or low binders and using lower compaction during extrusion
• Using only hydrophobic waxes
• Increasing extrusion pressure to the maximum

Correct Answer: Incorporating pore-forming excipients (porogens) or low binders and using lower compaction during extrusion

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