Synthesis and characterization of pectin derivative with antitumor property against Caco-2 colon cancer cells

•Pectin derivative with maleoyl (Pec-AM) groups was obtained.•The Pec-MA presented amorphous characteristics and higher-thermal stability compared to raw pectin (Pec).•The cytotoxic effect on the Caco-2 cells showed that the Pec-MA significantly inhibited the growth of colon cancer cells.•Pec-MA not shown any cytotoxic effect on the VERO healthy cells, when compared to Pec. New pectin derivative (Pec-MA) was obtained in specific reaction conditions. The presence of maleoyl groups in Pec-MA structure was confirmed by 1H NMR and FTIR spectroscopy. The substitution degree of Pec-MA (DS=24%) was determined by 1H NMR. The properties of Pec-MA were investigated through WAXS, TGA/DTG, SEM and zeta potential techniques. The Pec-MA presented amorphous characteristics and higher-thermal stability compared to raw pectin (Pec). In addition, considerable morphological differences between Pec-MA and Pec were observed by SEM. The cytotoxic effect on the Caco-2 cells showed that the Pec-MA significantly inhibited the growth of colon cancer cells whereas the Pec-MA does not show any cytotoxic effect on the VERO healthy cells. This result opens new perspectives for the manufacture of biomaterials based on Pec with anti-tumor properties.