Used in the food industry as a low-calorie sweetener and sugar substitute, particularly in products for diabetics due to its lower glycemic index. It is also employed in the production of xylitol, a sugar alcohol used in chewing gums, oral care products, and sugar-free confectionery. In biotechnology, it serves as a carbon source for microbial fermentation processes to produce biofuels, enzymes, and other biochemicals. Additionally, it is utilized in diagnostic tests to assess intestinal absorption and malabsorption conditions. In the pharmaceutical industry, it acts as an excipient in drug formulations and as a precursor for synthesizing various therapeutic compounds.