Differential Scanning Calorimetry Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) is a thermal analysis method with a broad field of application. It is an efficient method for characterizing pure food compounds as well as their mixtures. DSC analysis is fairly rapid and simple, requires a small amount of sample (< 100 mg) and does not use solvents. It has been used in monitoring thermal behavior in different foods, as well as in cases where no heat exchange occurs. DSC can monitor and determine heat flows resulting from various structural modifications (phase transformations and transitions, glass transition, etc.) or decomposition of food compounds, during temperature-programmed scans.