Used as an acidulant in food and beverage industries to enhance sour taste, especially in fruit-based products, candies, and soft drinks. Its balanced acidity improves flavor profile and stability. Commonly found in low-pH products where a tart yet smooth taste is desired. Also utilized in pharmaceuticals as an excipient to improve taste of syrups and chewable tablets. Plays a role in cosmetic formulations to adjust pH and act as a skin-conditioning agent. In industrial applications, serves as a building block for biodegradable chelating agents and in electroplating baths to stabilize metal ions.