Dulcitol is primarily used in microbiological research as a carbohydrate source in culture media to differentiate and identify bacterial species based on their ability to ferment it. It is also employed in biochemical studies to investigate metabolic pathways, particularly those involving sugar alcohols. In the pharmaceutical industry, dulcitol serves as an excipient in drug formulations, aiding in the stabilization and delivery of active ingredients. Additionally, it has been explored for its potential therapeutic applications, such as in the treatment of certain metabolic disorders and as a component in diagnostic reagents.