Lactate Promotes Bacterial Growth at Room Temperature in Stored Platelets. Bacterial growth under various conditions (PLT ●, aPLT ▼, PPP + Lactate ■, PPP ■, or REL ▲) during RT storage (A). Lactate production mirrors bacterial growth over time (B). Simplified schematic detailing platelet lactate production (NAD-dependent lactate dehydrogenase = nLDH) (C). Utilization of lactate by bacteria as a carbon source (NAD-independent lactate dehydrogenase = iLDH; pyruvate dehydrogenase complex = PDH complex) (D). Error bars represent ± SD. Statistical differences determined by student's t-test. Statistical differences between PLT and PPP; * = p < 0.05, ** = p < 0.005, *** = p < 0.0005. Statistical differences between PLT and PPP + Lac; Ψ = p < 0.05, Ψ Ψ = p < 0.005.