EFFECTS OF LEMON EXTRACT ON PROTECTION AGAINST ASPHALT DAMAGE CAUSED BY VISIBLE LIGHT

Abstract

Solar irradiation has caused damage to the asphalt structure and the addition of antioxidant components tend to be a protection strategy. The focus here was to investigate the photo-protective effect of lemon extract on asphalt samples
challenged by visible irradiation. The sample were divided into G1 (dark) and G2 (irradiated) groups, some of them being treated with Taiti lemon extract (Citrusaurantifolia) to verify  hotoprotection. Analyzes for roughness and bleaching were investigated macroscopically as well as the compressive strength test (MPa).
The statistic was performed by the Origin 7.0 program, being significant at p <0.05 mean values of MPa of the challenged samples in relation to the control. The specimens treated with lemon extract maintained greater preservation as regards
roughness and bleaching. Note that samples treated daily with lemon extract and
submitted to irradiation presented 26% higher compressive strength (2.78 MPa) than the irradiated group without extract (2.20 MPa). The data indicate that the components present in the lemon extract were able to increase the compressive strength (MPa) after irradiation with visible light. The results open a new window for
investigations into the photo protective effects of lemon on asphalt components.