Patent ID: 8580533

Claim:
A method for enhancing chemical digestion of a biomolecule comprising contacting the biomolecule with (i) trypsin and (ii) a surfactant represented by formula I: in which p is 0, 1 or 2; R is alkyl; R 1 and R 2 are each, independently, hydrogen or methyl; and R 3 is selected from —OS0 3 − , —R 4 0S0 3 − , —R 4 0R 5 S0 3 − , and —OR 5 S0 3 − , wherein R 4 and R 5 are each, independently, lower alkyl; and wherein the biomolecule is selected from the group consisting of a protein and a peptide, and wherein the activity of said trypsin is maintained or increased upon contact with the surfactant; thereby enhancing the chemical digestion of said biomolecule; wherein the surfactant is degraded after the chemical digestion.