Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are advanced nanocarriers for bioactive delivery due to their high porosity, tunable structures, and stability. This study reports the synthesis of a zinc ascorbate–based MOF (ZnAscMOF) designed as a multifunctional platform for the synergistic delivery of clove, rosemary, and rosehip essential oils (EO) to enhance antimicrobial and antioxidant performance. Unlike conventional Zn-MOFs employing inert linkers, ZnAscMOF integrates redox-active ascorbate as a biologically relevant ligand, providing intrinsic antioxidant functionality while preserving structural integrity. Thus, both the zinc (Zn²⁺) metal nodes and ascorbate linkers actively contribute to biological activity, promoting therapeutic synergy with encapsulated essential oils. EO-loaded ZnAscMOF was prepared via encapsulation and characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and Scanning electron microscopy, confirming successful oil incorporation without disruption of crystallinity. The composite exhibited high encapsulation efficiency (79.53 ± 0.58%) and loading capacity (18.03 ± 0.47%), indicating strong host–guest interactions. Antibacterial assays demonstrated significantly enhanced activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella pneumoniae compared with free oils and pristine MOF. Antioxidant activity was demonstrated through radical-scavenging activity relative to free ascorbic acid at equivalent concentrations, attributed to the combined release of ascorbate and phenolic EO constituents, while maintaining framework stability during short-term testing. Although essential oil volatility and long-term stability were not comprehensively evaluated, this work establishes proof-of-concept antimicrobial and antioxidant enhancement. Overall, ZnAscMOF–EO represents a rationally engineered, biocompatible bio-MOF nanoplatform for multifunctional antimicrobial applications.
