Used in research settings as a metabolite analog to study fatty acid metabolism, particularly in the context of polyunsaturated fatty acid pathways. It serves as a substrate in enzymatic assays involving lipoxygenases and cyclooxygenases to investigate eicosanoid production and inflammatory processes. Also utilized in lipid profiling and metabolic tracing experiments due to its structural similarity to arachidonic acid. Its ethyl ester form enhances stability and membrane permeability in cell culture studies.