Sodium cholate is widely used as a surfactant and solubilizing agent in pharmaceutical formulations biotechnology biochemistry membrane protein research drug delivery systems diagnostic reagents and analytical applications due to its excellent ability to solubilize lipids and stabilize biological molecules.

Its main purpose is to function as a detergent and solubilizing agent especially for lipids and membrane proteins.

Sodium cholate hydrate is a bile salt derived from cholic acid typically appearing as a white to off-white powder. It is amphiphilic (contains both hydrophilic and hydrophobic parts) allowing it to act as a natural surfactant and form micelles in solution.