N-Butyryl-DL-homoserine lactone is widely used in microbial research, particularly in studying quorum sensing mechanisms in bacteria. It serves as a signaling molecule that helps regulate gene expression based on cell population density. This compound is instrumental in understanding bacterial communication, biofilm formation, and virulence factor production. It is also applied in developing strategies to control bacterial infections by disrupting quorum sensing pathways. Additionally, it finds use in agricultural research to manage plant-microbe interactions and enhance crop protection against bacterial pathogens.