A METHOD FOR PREPARING ESTERIFIED CELLULOSE AND/OR HEMICELLULOSE

A method for preparing esterified cellulose and/or hemicellulose is disclosed. The method may comprise mixing an anhydride mixture and cellulose and/or hemicellulose, thereby obtaining an esterification mixture, such that the anhydride mixture esterifies the cellulose and/or hemicellulose at least partially, thereby forming the esterified cellulose and/or hemicellulose; and wherein the anhydride mixture is obtainable or obtained by reacting a fatty acid with a short-chain acid anhydride in the presence of an acid catalyst, such that an initial anhydride mixture is obtained, wherein the initial anhydride mixture comprises a mixed anhydride having a fatty acyl group and a short-chain acyl group, a portion of the short-chain acid anhydride, and a short-chain acid and optionally a fatty acid anhydride having two fatty acyl groups; and removing the short-chain acid, the short-chain acid anhydride and optionally water and/or impurities present in the initial anhydride mixture at least partially from the initial anhydride mixture, thereby obtaining the anhydride mixture.