Used as a pH indicator in various laboratory settings, particularly in titrations to determine the acidity or alkalinity of solutions. It transitions from red to yellow as the pH changes from acidic to slightly basic, making it useful for monitoring pH shifts in chemical reactions. Additionally, it is employed in microbiology for differentiating bacterial species based on their metabolic activities, especially in Methyl Red-Voges Proskauer (MR-VP) tests. Its ability to detect acid production helps identify organisms that ferment glucose. In industrial applications, it serves as a dye intermediate and in quality control processes to ensure consistency in pH-sensitive products.