Effect of storage conditions on the proximate composition, mineral retention, and phenolic contents of millet and chicken-based nutri-cereal mix

Abstract

Protein-enriched millet-based formulations offer a viable strategy for enhancing dietary quality in both human and companion animal nutrition. This study investigated the influence of storage conditions, viz., ambient temperature (28 ± 2 °C) and refrigeration (5 °C), on the physicochemical and microbiological stability of a nutritionally fortified cereal mix composed of pearl millet, finger millet, sorghum, green gram, beetroot, pumpkin, chicken powder, and stevia flour. The control sample was prepared by substituting millet flour with wheat flour. The formulated mixes were packaged in high-density polyethylene (HDPE) bags and stored for 120 days, with evaluations conducted at 15-day intervals. Results indicated significant variations in physicochemical attributes across all formulations. Among them, the optimized nutri-cereal mix at refrigeration temperature (OPRE_T) exhibited superior stability, maintaining the highest fibre (10.97 %), protein (28.21 %), total phenolic content (33.10 mg GAE/g), and total flavonoid content (8.05 mg QE/g), alongside minimal microbial growth (255 × 10² CFU/mL) up to the 105^th day. These outcomes underscore the efficacy of refrigeration in preserving the nutritional and microbiological integrity of millet–chicken-based nutri-cereal mix. The formulation demonstrates substantial promise for incorporation into functional foods and pet nutrition systems.