Widely used in the food industry as an acidulant and preservative, enhancing flavor and extending shelf life in products like baked goods, dairy items, and beverages. It plays a key role in controlling pH and inhibiting microbial growth. In cosmetics, it acts as a moisturizer and exfoliant due to its ability to promote skin renewal and maintain hydration. Commonly used in pharmaceuticals for pH adjustment and as a chiral building block in drug synthesis. Also serves as a biodegradable monomer in the production of polylactic acid (PLA), a renewable plastic used in packaging, textiles, and biomedical devices such as sutures and implants.