DL-Isocitric acid trisodium salt hydrate is widely used in biochemical research as a substrate or intermediate in metabolic studies, particularly in the citric acid cycle. It plays a role in enzymatic assays to study the activity of enzymes like isocitrate dehydrogenase, which is crucial for understanding cellular energy production. In the food industry, it is utilized as a buffering agent and stabilizer, helping to maintain pH levels and enhance the shelf life of products. Additionally, it finds application in pharmaceuticals as an excipient or active ingredient in formulations aimed at supporting metabolic functions or treating metabolic disorders. Its chelating properties also make it useful in water treatment processes to bind and remove metal ions.