Label-free detection of maize kernels aging based on Raman hyperspcectral imaging techinique

•Both TTC test and germination test were employed to discriminate the maize kernels viability.•Maize kernels aging were analyzed based on pixel-level and object-level.•Different variable selection algrithms were used to extract the key Raman shifs related with maize kernels viability.•Whale Optimization Algorithm (WOA) optimization algorithm was brought in to improve the accuracy about the classification of maize kernels viability.