Used in biochemical research as a substrate for studying enzyme activity, particularly in metabolic pathways involving branched-chain amino acids. It serves as a precursor in the synthesis of various organic compounds and is utilized in the production of pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. Additionally, it is applied in cell culture media to support the growth of certain microorganisms and in metabolic studies to investigate energy production and nutrient utilization. Its role in mimicking natural metabolic intermediates makes it valuable in experimental and industrial applications.