Water holding and release properties of bacterial cellulose obtained by in situ and ex situ modification

► In situ and ex situ modified bacterial cellulose (BC) samples were prepared. ► Effects of modifications on morphological and surface characteristics of BC were determined. ► Water holding capacity (WHC) and release rate (WRR) were co-related to these properties. ► WHC and WRR increase with pore volume and pore size in in situ modified BC. ► In ex situ modified BC, WHC and WRR depend on nature and arrangement of composite materials.