Nodularin is primarily known for its toxicity and environmental impact rather than industrial or commercial applications. It is produced by certain strains of cyanobacteria, notably Nodularia spumigena, which commonly form harmful algal blooms in brackish water environments. Due to its potent hepatotoxic properties, nodularin is studied extensively in the context of environmental monitoring and public health risk assessment. It serves as a biomarker for cyanobacterial contamination in water supplies, helping authorities manage drinking water safety and recreational water use.

In research, nodularin is used to investigate liver cell toxicity and the mechanisms of protein phosphatase inhibition, particularly PP1 and PP2A enzymes. Its structural and functional similarity to microcystins makes it a useful tool in toxicological studies aimed at understanding cellular stress, apoptosis, and tumor promotion pathways. Additionally, it contributes to studies on aquatic ecosystem health, especially in regions prone to seasonal algal blooms such as the Baltic Sea.

Because of its high toxicity, nodularin has no approved pharmaceutical or agricultural applications. Its main relevance lies in environmental science, toxicology, and water quality management.