Widely used as a disinfectant and sterilant, glutaraldehyde is essential in healthcare settings for cold sterilization of medical equipment such as endoscopes, dialysis machines, and surgical instruments that cannot withstand heat. It effectively kills bacteria, viruses, fungi, and spores, making it ideal for high-level disinfection. In the biotechnology and research fields, glutaraldehyde serves as a crosslinking agent to fix biological samples for electron microscopy, preserving cellular structures with minimal distortion. It is also used in tissue engineering to crosslink proteins in biomaterials, enhancing their mechanical strength and resistance to degradation. The chemical is employed in water treatment systems to control microbial growth in industrial cooling towers and oilfield operations. Additionally, it finds use in the leather tanning industry to improve the durability and quality of hides, and in the production of adhesives and resins for its crosslinking properties. Due to its strong reactivity and effectiveness, glutaraldehyde is also utilized in diagnostic laboratories and histology for tissue fixation, ensuring samples remain stable during analysis.