Used in biochemical research as an intermediate in glycolysis and gluconeogenesis studies. Serves as a substrate to investigate enzyme kinetics, particularly for aldolase and phosphofructokinase. Applied in cell culture media to support metabolic pathways in isolated cells or tissue preparations. Utilized in assays to assess cellular energy metabolism and mitochondrial function. Also employed in studies related to ischemia-reperfusion injury, where it may act as a protective agent by supporting ATP production under low-oxygen conditions. Its trisodium salt form enhances solubility and stability in aqueous solutions, making it suitable for in vitro experiments.