Used as a fluorescent probe in biological imaging due to its strong emission properties and ability to penetrate cell membranes. It selectively accumulates in mitochondria, making it valuable for studying mitochondrial function and dynamics in live cells. Its fluorescence response to changes in membrane potential allows real-time monitoring of cellular metabolic activity. Also employed in antimicrobial research owing to the nitrofuran moiety, which can be activated under reductive conditions commonly found in anaerobic bacteria, enabling targeted imaging and evaluation of antibacterial effects.