How do you preserve blood

Question

Other than freezing it or cooling it? Talking about long-term methods

Answer 1

Typically, blood for transfusion is kept cold and mixed with a solution called CPDA solution, containing:

citric acid to prevent coagulation

dextrose (sugar) for energy

sodium phosphate as a buffer

adenine

Under these conditions, blood can be stored for up to 5 weeks

Answer 2

Package it in a vacuum (airtight) container.

Answer 3

You can freeze only plasma, not the whole blood because red cells break at freezing temperatures.

About long-term methods: red cells and plasma and are usually preserved with sodium citrate, EDTA, heparine or another anticoagulant at low temperatures ( 4-8ºC, 39-46 ºF).

Answer 4

Depends on your later application.

First, I would start by drawing the blood into a specific tube that has an anti-coagulant (such as EDTA, Sodium Citrate, Heparin, etc).  Then, you can store it in a refrigerator for up to a week (generally).  

I would never freeze blood as that may cause the RBCs to burst.