Dual fermentation-germination bioprocessing optimizes nutrition and texture of pearl millet-amaranth complementary food

A critical trade-off between nutritional adequacy and the functional properties of infant-complementary foods needs to be addressed infants’ malnutrition in resource-limited communities, and it is central to healthy infant food design. This study introduces a dual fermentation-germination bioprocessing approach, fermentation of pearl millet and germination of amaranth, to optimize porridge texture and nutrient content. A key nutritional challenge is that overly viscous porridge can cause feeding difficulties in younger infants, while germinated amaranth excessive dilution risks nutrient insufficiency. Here, fermented pearl millet (FP) and germinated amaranth (GA) were combined to produce a nutritional complementary food (FP-GA), maintained a protein content above the protein requirement of 9 to 11-month-old infants, exhibited a viscosity lower than 3000 mPa·s at 10 s -1 , and showed improved starch digestibility. Compared to NP-NA groups, phytic acid content was reduced by 43% in FP-GA, enhancing nutrient bioavailability. Higher levels of short-chain fatty acids and volatile components were obtained in FP-GA porridge. Additionally, FP-GA flour exhibited lower bulk density and higher water solubility index in FP-GA porridge, which is beneficial in infant feeding. Rheological analysis confirmed mechanical resistance, revealing the mechanism of how dual bioprocessing modifies porridge processing characteristics. These findings offer a promising approach for the design of child feeding using sustainable climate-resilient crops and processing techniques that can be applied at the household level to address malnutrition. • Germination and fermentation improved porridge nutrition and functionality • Phytic acid decreased by 43.04% in bioprocessed porridge (FP-GA) • FP-GA compensates for protein deficiency in pearl millet and meets infant needs. • Bioprocessing enhanced SCFA levels and starch digestibility • Amaranth–pearl millet combo created more FAA with bioprocessing • Lower viscosity of FP-GA enhances suitability for infant swallowing