Background: Prolonged storage of platelets days provides improved availability, logistical management and decreased wastage. Beside methods of bacterial detection, methods of platelet preparation further improve the quality of platelets with extended storage.Objectives: The current study aimed to evaluate the applicability of extending platelet shelf life up to 8 days, using different methods of platelet preparation namely WBD-PCs either filtered or non-filtered and aphaeresis PCs. In vitro monitoring of platelet counts and indices, leucocyte contaminants, platelet activation markers, metabolic activities, and selected released cytokines during storage besides bacterial testing were performed.Materials and Methods: Thirty six platelet concentrates (PC) units were prepared in the blood bank of TBRI. They were divided into 3 groups. Group I: Non-leucofiltered Random PC Units (n=12).Group II: Leucofiltered Random PC Units (n=12).Group III: Aphaeresis PC Units (n=12). All units were stored in their corresponding plasma at 22 -24˚ C on a flatbed agitator for 8 days. All units were subjected to evaluation of specific parameters at day 1, 5, and 8 of storage. Such parameters include; platelet count, platelet indices (MPV & PDW), platelet swirling score, glucose, LDH, pH of PCs, WBCs count, IL6, IL8, MCP1, RANTES, CD62p and CD63 percent expression on PCs. Results: On comparing the quality and safety of PCs till day 8 of storage, all studied methods of platelet preparation showed no bacterial contamination till the 8th day of storage .Platelet count per unit as determined by the AABB was met in the aphaeresis group (47.42 ± 7.69 x 1010/U) and were slightly less in the non-leucofiltered and leucofiltered random PC Units (4.03 + 0.72 x 1010/U) and (4.225 ± 0.73 x 1010/U) respectively. Platelet viability represented by swirling, MPV and PDW showed the best values in the aphaeresis group. LDH levels showed the lowest results in the aphaeresis group denoting the lowest platelet lysis. pH was maintained above the required level (> 6.8) in all groups till the 8th day. WBCs count was less than the optimum level as determined by the AABB in the filtered PRP-PCs and aphaeresis PCs. Also the lowest percent of expression of platelet activation markers namely CD62p and CD63 was found in the aphaeresis PC at day 8 compared to the other two groups.Conclusion: To minimize outdating of PCs that was licensed now for a maximum of five days, we can conclude that PCs obtained by aphaeresis could provide the highest quality possible side by side with a good and rapid bacterial detection system. Our choice between different methods of preparing PCs should depend on a critical balance between the safety, quality and the cost. This depends on the preparation and equipments provided at the facility, whether it has an aphaeresis device, the availability of quality and rapid automated bacterial culturing system.