D-Cellobiose octaacetate is widely used in biochemical research as a substrate for studying enzyme activity, particularly for enzymes like cellulases and glycosidases that break down cellulose. It serves as a model compound to understand the mechanisms of carbohydrate metabolism and enzyme specificity. In material science, it is utilized in the synthesis of specialized polymers and coatings due to its ability to modify surface properties and enhance durability. Additionally, it finds application in the pharmaceutical industry as an intermediate in the production of certain drugs and as a chiral building block in organic synthesis. Its acetylated form also makes it useful in analytical chemistry for chromatographic separation and identification of complex carbohydrates.