Oral Delivery Systems of Dietary Bioactive Compounds Based on Metal-Organic Frameworks: A Review

Dietary bioactive compounds (DBCs) play a critical role in promoting health, but their low bioavailability presents significant challenges for effective oral delivery. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as promising carriers for DBCs due to their high loading capacity, tunable pore sizes, and ease of functional modification. This review examines the potential of MOFs as oral delivery systems for DBCs, with a focus on their safety, compatibility, and stability in food applications. MOF-based oral carriers are categorized into two types based on surface modification: (i) pure MOF carriers and (ii) MOF-based composite carriers. Pure MOFs typically enable controlled release via sustained or phosphate-responsive mechanisms, whereas composite systems incorporate bio-derived materials or synthetic polymers to enhance functionality and environmental responsiveness. We further analyze the structural features, gastrointestinal stability, and release behaviors of these carriers, highlighting their capacity to protect DBCs under harsh digestive conditions and facilitate targeted delivery. MOF-based oral delivery systems represent promising candidates for functional food applications. By improving the solubility, stability, and bioactivity of DBCs, these systems significantly enhance the oral bioavailability, thereby enabling more effective health-promoting functions. MOF-based oral delivery systems are poised to broaden the application of DBCs in functional foods and support the advancement of nutritional strategies for disease prevention and health promotion.