In tableting processes, which issue would likely require an adjustment in lubricant levels?

In tableting processes, picking and sticking occur when the tablet material adheres to the punches or to the die during compression or ejection. This can lead to the loss of product integrity and surface quality. Increasing the levels of lubricant is often a solution to mitigate this issue, as lubricants create a barrier between the tablet composition and the machinery.

By adjusting lubricant levels, the likelihood of adhesion is reduced, allowing for smoother ejection of the tablets and preventing surface defects. Lubricants play a crucial role in enhancing flow properties of the powder mix, which can prevent these sticking issues.

While other options, such as capping (the formation of a lid on the tablet due to insufficient bonding), whiskering (the presence of fine hair-like structures on the tablet surface), and laminating (the separation of layers in a tablet), can also affect tablet quality, they are typically influenced by factors other than just lubricant levels. For example, capping may require adjustments in the compression force, and laminating can result from excess moisture in the formulation. Thus, the adjustment of lubricant levels directly addresses the problem of picking and sticking more effectively.