Mesoxalate sodium (monohydrate) is primarily utilized in biochemical research and analytical chemistry as a reagent. It is often employed in studies involving enzyme inhibition, particularly for enzymes like lactate dehydrogenase, where it acts as a competitive inhibitor. This property makes it valuable in understanding metabolic pathways and enzyme mechanisms. Additionally, it is used in the synthesis of organic compounds and as a precursor in the preparation of other chemicals. Its role in laboratory settings extends to calibrating instruments and standardizing solutions due to its well-defined chemical properties.