To separate Neisseria spp. bacteria from a starch pellet, enzymatic treatment with amylase is a viable strategy. Begin by preparing a buffer solution maintaining physiological conditions, such as phosphate-buffered saline with a neutral pH. Introduce amylase enzyme to the buffer at a concentration effective for starch breakdown but unlikely to harm bacteria, with the option to increase gradually if necessary. Incubate the pellet in this solution, monitoring regularly to prevent overexposure. Following incubation, gently resuspend the mixture to aid starch breakdown and bacteria release, employing a wide-opening pipette to minimize shear forces. Subsequent centrifugation helps separate broken-down starch from bacterial cells, with care taken to avoid excessive speeds that could damage the bacteria. If needed, washing and repeating the process may further enhance separation. This approach aims to efficiently liberate bacteria from the starch pellet while preserving their integrity for subsequent protocol steps. Jose Pedreira