Used primarily in biochemical research to study carbohydrate metabolism and enzyme specificity. It serves as a substrate for various glycosidases and cellulases, helping to understand their mechanisms and efficiency. Additionally, it is employed in the development of carbohydrate-based drugs and in the synthesis of complex oligosaccharides for therapeutic applications. Its role in structural studies of polysaccharides also aids in the design of biomaterials and biodegradable polymers.