This work deals with the production and characterization of powders of amorphous organic calcium salts (excipients) as a possible recaldfication source for citrated whole blood samples. Rapidly dissolving cryopellets were also prepared from these excipients. The amorphous excipients show high oversaturation which allows the manufacture of ayopellets containing a high amount of organic calcium salt The characterization of the cryopellets revealed very rapid dissolution and breaking forces sufficient to withstand substantial mechanical stresses. Of the various individual and compounded excipients examined, calcium lactogluconate and calcium lactobionate are the best alternatives to CaCl2 for recalcification of citrated whole blood. Their influence on coagulation was minimal and both substances showed a low hygroscopic tendency during dynamic vapor sorption. Both excipients are non-hygroscopic under ambient conditions up-to a relative humidity of p/p(0) = 60%. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.