This work aimed to evaluate the use of colorimetry in the characterization of biodeterioration marupá, jequitibá and cumaru wood, submitted to white and brown rot. For this purpose, specimens of each Amazonian species were submitted to accelerated decay tests, according to American Society for Testing and Materials - ASTM D2017, during 20 weeks. With a colorimeter, the colorimetric parameters L* (lightness), a* (green-red coordinate), b* (blue-yellow coordinate) and total color change (ΔE) were determined weekly until the fourth week, and then every two weeks until the twentieth week. Additionally, it was determined the mass loss. The results indicated that the colorimetry was effective in monitoring of biodeterioration of wood, as well as to differentiate white and brown rot. The best predictions of natural resistance to white and brown rot were obtained with the parameters b* and L*, respectively. We also emphasizes the use of ΔE to estimate the biodeterioration of wood, because of their significant correlations with weight loss.
natural durability; colorimetric parameters; white rot; brown rot; tropical wood
