Rosolic acid is primarily used as a pH indicator in various chemical and biological experiments. It changes color depending on the acidity or alkalinity of the solution, making it valuable for monitoring pH levels in laboratory settings. Additionally, it finds application in the dye industry, where it is utilized to produce vibrant dyes for textiles and other materials. In microbiology, rosolic acid is sometimes employed as a staining agent to enhance the visibility of microorganisms under a microscope. Its ability to interact with specific compounds also makes it useful in analytical chemistry for detecting and quantifying certain substances.