Used as a food additive to provide tartness in beverages and baking powders, where it acts as a leavening agent. Commonly found in sour confections like powdered fruit candies for its sharp flavor. Employed in the production of unsaturated polyester resins for fiberglass-reinforced plastics used in automotive and marine industries. Serves as a precursor in the synthesis of other organic compounds, including pharmaceuticals and biodegradable polymers. Applied in the manufacture of paper sizing and in water treatment as a pH adjuster. Also investigated for use in fuel cells and as a building block in green chemistry due to its renewable production potential.