This chemical is primarily used as a chromogenic substrate in biochemical assays, particularly for the detection and quantification of proteolytic enzyme activity. It is specifically designed to measure the activity of enzymes like thrombin, factor Xa, and other serine proteases. When the enzyme cleaves the substrate, it releases p-nitroaniline (pNA), which produces a yellow color that can be measured spectrophotometrically at 405 nm. This allows researchers to accurately determine enzyme activity in various biological samples, making it a valuable tool in coagulation studies, drug development, and diagnostic applications. Its high sensitivity and specificity make it suitable for use in both research laboratories and clinical settings.