Crosslinked bacterial cellulose hydrogels for biomedical applications

•Bacterial cellulose’s water retention capacity is hindered after the first dehydration.•Bacterial cellulose crosslinking is able to reduce the water retention capacity loss after the first dehydration.•The bacterial cellulose crosslinking with Citric Acid and Epichlorohydrin is efficient.•The crosslinked bacterial cellulose membranes are suitable for applications such as wound and diapers dressing or sanitary pads.