From an industrial perspective, it is the most important dicarboxylic acid, mainly as a precursor for the production of nylon.

Citrinin (NSC 186) is a mycotoxin that causes food contamination and has different toxic effects. Citrinin is an effective oral anticancer agent. Citrinin has various regulatory effects on mouse immune system, including regulating the number of immune cells, inducing apoptosis and autophagy of immune cells, altering toll-like receptor expression and cytokine production. Citrinin can induce oxidative stress and lead to early apoptosis of oocytes. Low doses of Citrinin have neuroprotective effects against glutamate-induced excitotoxicity in rat cortical neurons. In addition, Citrinin also has antibacterial activity.

Ethylparaben is the ethyl ester of p-hydroxybenzoic acid, used as an antifungal preservative.