a method for inactivating microbiological contaminants in a human blood platelet preparation is disclosed . the method comprises , first , providing blood platelets , particularly human blood platelets , suspected of being contaminated with microorganisms . the platelets are then contacted to a fixative for a time sufficient to fix the platelets . after fixing , the platelets are preferably washed and dried to produce fixed - dried platelets . the step of contacting the platelets to a fixative is carried out for a time sufficient to kill some or all the of the contaminating microorganisms .