Production of bacterial cellulose hydrogels with tailored crystallinity from Enterobacter sp. FY-07 by the controlled expression of colanic acid synthetic genes.

•Genes of colanic acid were induced in cellulose produced by Enterobacter sp. FY-07.•Co-production of BC and modifiers impart MBC hydrogels fine microstructures.•Modifying cellulose hydrogels alters the crystallinity and rheological properties.•Hydrogel water-holding capacity and network structure were greatly improved.