Used in biochemical research for studying cell wall biosynthesis in mycobacteria, particularly in the context of tuberculosis. It serves as a key substrate for arabinosyltransferases, enzymes involved in constructing the arabinan component of the mycobacterial cell wall. This makes it valuable for developing new anti-tubercular drugs that target cell wall assembly. Also employed in enzymatic assays and metabolic labeling studies to track arabinose incorporation in bacterial polysaccharides.