Used in research and development of lipid metabolism studies, particularly in understanding the biosynthesis and regulation of omega-3 fatty acid derivatives. Plays a role as a substrate in enzymatic reactions involving acyl-CoA synthetases and elongases, aiding in the production of very long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. Also utilized in cellular models to investigate anti-inflammatory pathways and metabolic disorders linked to defective fatty acid oxidation. Its ammonium salt form enhances solubility and stability in biological assays, making it suitable for in vitro and cell-based experiments.