Sodium cholate is widely used as a bile salt detergent in biochemical and molecular biology applications. It effectively solubilizes membrane proteins by disrupting lipid-lipid and lipid-protein interactions in cell membranes. This makes it valuable in protein extraction and purification processes, especially for integral membrane proteins.

It is commonly used in cell lysis buffers to gently break open cells while maintaining protein functionality. Sodium cholate is also employed in assays involving lipoproteins and cholesterol metabolism due to its ability to emulsify lipids.

In addition, it serves as an additive in some chromatography techniques to maintain protein solubility and prevent aggregation. Its relatively mild detergent properties make it suitable for applications where preserving protein structure is important. Sodium cholate is also used in some drug delivery systems to enhance the absorption of poorly soluble compounds in the gastrointestinal tract.