Used extensively in biochemical research as a substrate for studying enzyme activity, particularly for enzymes like β-N-acetylglucosaminidase. It helps in understanding glycosidase mechanisms and is employed in assays to measure enzyme kinetics and inhibition. Additionally, it serves as a tool in glycobiology research for investigating carbohydrate metabolism and processing. Its applications also extend to diagnostic tests for detecting enzyme deficiencies or abnormalities in biological samples.