Magenta-Gal is widely used in biochemical research and diagnostics, particularly in the detection of β-galactosidase activity. It serves as a chromogenic substrate, producing a magenta-colored product when cleaved by the enzyme, making it valuable in assays for gene expression studies and reporter gene systems. Its application extends to microbiology for identifying bacterial colonies expressing β-galactosidase, aiding in genetic engineering and molecular biology experiments. The compound is also utilized in histochemistry to visualize enzyme activity in tissue samples, providing insights into cellular processes and disease mechanisms.