Stabilization of anthocyanin nanocompounds by UiO-66 metal–organic framework

• NCs bound to UiO-66 by H-bonding/π–π at low loading, Lewis interactions at excess. • Stability was optimized by NCs loading control that preserved UiO-66 integrity. • UiO-66@NCs nanoparticles showed effective antioxidant application in fruit storage. Anthocyanins (NCs) possess strong antioxidant activity but suffer from poor stability under light and heat. To address this, NCs were self-assembled with UiO-66 by a simple impregnation method to form UiO-66@NCs nanoparticles. Spectroscopic and DFT analyses revealed that hydrogen bonding and π–π interactions dominated the self-assembly, while excessive NCs induced weaker Lewis acid-base interactions, reducing stability. The optimal ratio preserved porous structure of UiO-66, enhanced NCs thermal and photostability, and maintained antioxidant activity. Thermogravimetric and stability tests confirmed the protective effect of UiO-66. Furthermore, when applied to grape preservation, UiO-66@NCs coatings significantly reduced oxidative damage and water loss, maintaining better texture and appearance than controls. This study provides mechanistic insight into the molecular interactions governing the self-assembly and stabilization of NCs by UiO-66, offering a promising strategy for enhancing their application in fruit preservation and active food packaging.