Used primarily in research settings as a reference standard in lipid analysis and metabolic studies. It serves as a model compound for understanding the behavior of long-chain saturated fatty acids in biological systems. Commonly employed in chromatography to calibrate instruments and validate analytical methods for fatty acid profiling. Also utilized in the synthesis of complex lipids and in studies examining lipid oxidation and enzyme specificity. Its stable, saturated structure makes it suitable for investigating membrane dynamics and phase behavior in model lipid bilayers.