Method for recovering microbial cells

A microbial recovery device for the recovery of viable microbial cells from a complex sample, said device being arranged to receive a complex sample of at least 1 ml, the device comprising:

• a reservoir comprising a buffer solution containing one or more proteases, or a reservoir containing a buffer solution and a reservoir containing one or more proteases, wherein said buffer solution has a pH of at least pH 6 and less than pH 11, wherein said buffer and said proteases do not comprise a detergent or a chaotrope, and wherein the microbial recovery device is arranged for mixing the sample with the buffer solution and proteases to produce a mixture;
• a filter suitable for retaining microbial cells and arrange to receive and filter the mixture;
• and a reservoir containing a liquid for recovering viable microbial cells from the filter, the reservoir connected to the filter and the microbial recovery device being arranged to convey the liquid to the filter to remove the retained microbial cells.