Used as a substrate in enzymatic assays to detect and measure the activity of β-glucuronidase enzymes. This is particularly important in biomedical research for studying enzyme function and in diagnostic applications to identify bacterial infections, as β-glucuronidase is often produced by certain bacteria. It is also employed in histochemistry to localize enzyme activity in tissue samples. The hydrolysis of this compound by β-glucuronidase releases 4-methylumbelliferone, a fluorescent product, allowing for sensitive and quantitative detection. Additionally, it is utilized in environmental monitoring to assess microbial activity in water and soil samples.