Used in biochemical research as a substrate for studying enzyme activity, particularly β-glucosidase enzymes. It helps in understanding enzyme kinetics and mechanisms due to its ability to release 2-nitrophenol upon hydrolysis, which can be easily detected spectrophotometrically. Additionally, it serves as a model compound in glycoside hydrolysis studies, aiding in the development of enzyme inhibitors or activators for therapeutic or industrial purposes. Its applications extend to the field of plant biology, where it is used to investigate glycoside metabolism in plants.