Used primarily as a redox indicator in biological experiments, it helps assess cell viability and metabolic activity. In microbiology, it is applied to distinguish between living and dead cells, as living cells reduce it to a red formazan product. It is also utilized in seed viability tests to determine germination potential. Additionally, it serves as a staining agent in histochemistry to visualize tissue activity. Its application extends to toxicology studies for evaluating the effects of chemicals on cellular health.