Effect of in-situ biochemical modification on the synthesis, structure, and function of xanthan gum based bacterial cellulose generated from Tieguanyin oolong tea residue hydrolysate

[Display omitted] •In-situ biochemical modification with xanthan gum addition was carried out.•Tieguanyin oolong tea residue hydrolysate was used as the fermentation substrate.•The bacterial cellulose yield increased by 260.8% with 0.6% xanthan gum addition.•Bacterial cellulose and xanthan gum were combined by the modification.•The performance of bacterial cellulose was promoted due to the modified structure. The effect of in-situ biochemical modification on the synthesis, structure, and function of xanthan gum based bacterial cellulose generated from Tieguanyin oolong tea residue hydrolysate was evaluated for the first time. This modification could overcome the inhibitory effect of the hydrolysate and the bacterial cellulose yield with 0.6% xanthan gum addition increased by 260.8% compared with that without xanthan gum addition. Bacterial cellulose and xanthan gum were combined by the in-situ modification and the alteration of fermentation medium rheological properties by xanthan gum addition might be beneficial for their combination. The average diameter of the bacterial cellulose microfibrils was increased by the modification, and it had a great influence on the crystalline structure of the bacterial cellulose. Additionally, both the water absorption and texture properties of the bacterial cellulose was strengthened by the modification. Overall, this modification showed great potential for efficient and effective xanthan gum based bacterial cellulose production.