Abstract: Solutions are provided herein for the collection of whole blood and/or storage of packed red blood cells, the solutions including one or more inorganic pyrophosphates (PPi). Also provided are methods of storing whole blood or packed red blood cells and methods of mitigating a complication associated with a transfusion or infusion of whole blood or red blood cells, the methods including storing the whole blood or red blood cells in a solution including one or more inorganic pyrophosphates.