Physical and Chemical Changes of ACD‐Preserved Blood: A Comparison of Blood in Glass Bottles and Plastic Bags

Abstract

ACD [acid citrate dextrose] blood [human] was preserved in glass bottles with or without aeration and in plastic bags in air or N2 gas at 4.5.degree. C. The blood was examined for physical and chemical changes of erythrocyte membrane resistance, Hb in the plasma, the viscosity of the blood, pH of plasma and ATP and 2,3-DPG [2,3-diphosphoglycerate] content of erythrocytes. The blood preserved in plastic bags showed less changes than blood in glass bottles. The presence of air or N2 gas in blood seemed to increase the pH, perhaps by elimination of CO2 which in turn caused the different rates of glycolysis in the erythrocytes.