N-Acetylornithine is an important intermediate in biochemical research, particularly in the study of amino acid biosynthesis pathways. It plays a key role in the microbial arginine biosynthetic pathway, where it is formed from N-acetylglutamate semialdehyde and serves as a precursor to ornithine. This compound is widely used by researchers to investigate metabolic processes in bacteria, plants, and other organisms, including nitrogen assimilation and enzyme kinetics. It acts as a substrate in enzymatic assays for enzymes like ornithine acetyltransferase and acetylornithinase. Additionally, N-Acetylornithine is employed in studies related to urea cycle disorders and amino acid metabolism, aiding the development of therapeutic strategies for metabolic conditions and the synthesis of biochemical compounds in laboratory settings.