Used as a stable isotope tracer in metabolic studies to track glucose metabolism pathways in cells, tissues, or whole organisms. Enables precise monitoring of glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, and the pentose phosphate pathway using techniques like mass spectrometry or NMR. Employed in clinical research to study metabolic disorders such as diabetes, insulin resistance, and cancer metabolism. Supports labeling experiments in microbiology and biotechnology for understanding microbial fermentation and biosynthesis. Ideal for non-radioactive, safe tracing in human and animal studies due to its stable 13C isotope label at the second carbon position.