Used as a substrate in enzymatic assays to detect the activity of β-N-acetylglucosaminidase, an enzyme involved in various biological processes. It is particularly useful in histochemistry and cytochemistry for identifying enzyme presence in tissue samples. The compound helps in diagnosing lysosomal storage disorders, where enzyme activity is impaired. It is also employed in research to study glycosidase activity in cellular and molecular biology. The reaction product provides a visible or measurable signal, aiding in the analysis of enzyme kinetics and distribution within cells.