The Viability of Human Blood Stored in Phosphate Adenine Media

The addition of .03 M phosphate ion and adenine to stored blood produces a profound effect on erythrocyte ATP. At the end of 50–65 days storage, the ATP content of such blood is approximately 40% higher than that of blood supplemented with adenine alone. Despite the large increment of ATP, there was little, if any, difference in the viability of blood stored in these solutions. Thus, after 50 days storage, the ATP content is no longer the limiting factor in maintaining erythrocyte viability.