# Dynamic Viscoelastic Behavior of Maize Kernel: Application of Frequency–Temperature Superposition

## TL;DR

This study examines how different drying methods affect the viscoelastic properties of maize kernels and their behavior under varying temperatures.

## Contribution

The study introduces the use of modified Cole–Cole analysis as a more sensitive method than frequency–temperature superposition for analyzing maize kernel behavior.

## Key findings

- Natural drying resulted in higher elastic and viscous properties compared to hot air-vacuum drying.
- HAVD 75 °C treated kernels showed thermorheologically simple behavior across 30–45 °C.
- Relaxation processes in HAVD 75 °C kernels are linked to molecular subunits or strands.

## Abstract

Maize kernels were treated using two varieties of drying methodologies, namely combined hot air- and vacuum-drying (HAVD) and natural drying (ND). We performed frequency sweep tests, modified Cole–Cole (MCC) analysis, and frequency–temperature superposition (FTS) on these kernels. The kernels’ elastic and viscous properties for ND were higher than those for HAVD. The heterogeneous nature of maize kernel may account for the curvature in MCC plot for the kernel treated by HAVD 75 °C and the failure of FTS. MCC analysis was more sensitive than FTS. The kernel treated by HAVD 75 °C demonstrated thermorheologically simple behavior across the entire temperature range (30–45 °C) in both MCC analysis and FTS. The frequency scale for the kernel treated using HAVD 75 °C was broadened by up to 70,000 Hz. The relaxation processes in the kernel treated by HAVD 75 °C were determined to be mainly associated with subunits of molecules or molecular strands. The data herein could be utilized for maize storage and processing.