Mucic acid is primarily used in the production of adipic acid, a key component in the manufacture of nylon. It serves as a precursor in various organic synthesis processes, particularly in the creation of polymers and resins. In the pharmaceutical industry, mucic acid is utilized in the formulation of certain drugs and as a stabilizer in medications. Additionally, it finds application in the food industry as an additive to enhance texture and stability in certain products. Its chelating properties make it useful in water treatment processes to remove metal ions. Mucic acid is also employed in analytical chemistry as a reagent for detecting and quantifying specific substances.