Used as a surfactant and emulsifying agent in various industrial and laboratory applications. Commonly employed in detergents, cleaning products, and personal care formulations due to its ability to reduce surface tension and disperse oils and dirt. Frequently utilized in biochemical research, particularly in protein extraction and purification processes. Also serves as a denaturing agent in electrophoresis techniques like SDS-PAGE, where it imparts a uniform negative charge to proteins, enabling separation based on molecular weight. Its biodegradability makes it a preferred choice in environmentally conscious formulations.