First report on isolation of 2,3,4-trihydroxy-5-methylacetophenone from palmyra palm (Borassus flabellifer Linn.) syrup, its antioxidant and antimicrobial properties

•First report on 2,3,4-trihydroxy-5-methylacetophenone (1), nicotinamide (2), and uracil (3) in palmyra palm syrup.•Total phenolic content and total flavonoid content of palymyra palm syrup.•DPPH radical scavenging activity of compound 1.•Broad spectrum antibacterial property of compound 1.

The first report on isolation and characterization of 2,3,4-trihydroxy-5-methylacetophenone (1), nicotinamide (2), and uracil (3) from palmyra palm syrup is described. Total phenolic content (TPC) and Total flavonoid content (TFC) of palm syrup were 244.70 ± 5.77 (mg gallic acid/kg of syrup) and 658.45 ± 27.86 (mg quercetin/kg of syrup), respectively. Compound 1 exhibited DPPH radical scavenging activity with an IC50 value of 20.02 ± 0.14 μM which was better than ascorbic acid (IC50 = 22.59 ± 0.30 μM). Compound 1 also showed broad spectrum antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Mycobacterium smegmatis, Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus simulans.