## 3 Essential Oils, Terpenes and Terpenoids in Agrifood
Through EOs' encapsulation in porous materials, these compounds can be protected against environmental stressors such as heat, light, oxygen, and moisture, significantly enhancing their stability and preventing the degradation of their active components. This protection is crucial for maintaining the efficacy of EOs over extended periods either in the field or on the shelf [24; 125]. Furthermore, encapsulating aromatic volatiles, specifically EOs, in porous materials facilitates a controlled release, which provides a slow and continuous delivery of their active components [126]. This controlled release approach not only extends the effective duration of EOs but also minimizes the need for frequent reapplication. In this way a more efficient, practical and cost-effective solution is introduced. Encapsulation also effectively reduces the volatility of EOs, preventing rapid evaporation and ensuring that their valuable properties are retained for prolonged periods [127]. Beyond stability and controlled release, porous materials can improve the bioavailability of EOs, by enhancing their effectiveness in targeted applications such as in food preservation, or agriculture. Additionally, the encapsulation process can protect EOs from chemical degradation, including oxidation, isomerization, cyclization, and dehydrogenation, which can occur when they are exposed to harsh environments [128]. There are examples where encapsulated EOs demonstrate enhanced antimicrobial activity, inhibiting and eliminating more effectively pathogens. This enhanced activity, combined with their improved stability and controlled release is paving the way for versatile applications for EOs in various industries. Thus, the use of porous materials for encapsulating EOs effectively mitigates the limitations posed by their volatility and instability, thereby significantly broadening their range of applications and enhancing their overall effectiveness. For example, several studies have demonstrated that encapsulation of EOs in mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) enhances their antimicrobial activity. For instance, peppermint EO encapsulated in SBA-15 silica exhibited improved efficacy against _Colletotrichum_ species [129]. Similarly, cinnamon EO encapsulated in MSNs showed reduced volatility and prolonged antimicrobial effects [130]. Eugenol-loaded MSNs incorporated into PHBV films maintained sustained antimicrobial activity against foodborne bacteria over 15 days [131]. Additionally, cinnamaldehyde immobilized onto MSNs effectively eliminated over 99% of bacterial growth in various phytopathogens [132]. Such advancements pave the way for the more widespread and efficient utilization of EOs in diverse fields, leveraging their natural benefits for a variety of practical purposes. MOFs can serve as effective porous matrices to protect and deliver these volatile and chemically sensitive compounds to their target. However, the physicochemical character istics of the MOFs used for this purpose must be carefully determined. Therefore, this review examines key MOF representatives that have been employed for EO encapsulation for them to be applied in the constantly expanding agrifood sector, aiming to elucidate the fundamental principles regarding the choice or even the design of a MOF for this purpose, along with their mechanisms of action and facilitate the development of improved systems.