Facile synthesis of starch-maleate monoesters from native sago starch

► Facile synthesis of starch-maleate monoesters from native sago starch. ► Hydrophilicity of starch-maleate monoesters varied with degree of substitution. ► Composition of starch-maleate monoesters affected by the precipitating media used. ► Gel-to-particle transformation of starch-maleate monoesters by UV irradiation.