●Thyme essential oil loaded gelatin/silk sericin dressing hydrogels were successfully developed.
●The fabricated hydrogels showed physical properties, including surface smoothness, mechanical properties and water absorption, suitable for use as a wound dressing.
●1.5% thyme essential oil-loaded gelatin/silk sericin hydrogels showed higher antibacterial activity, indicated by larger inhibition zone against S. Aureus and S. Epidermidis, when compared with 1% thyme essential oil-loaded.
●This work is required to be developed further in order to get closer to the ideal one.