Comparative Study of Dissipation Factor of Young and Mature Bitter Leaf (Vernonia Amygdalina) based on Location

Abstract The use of Schering Bridge arrangement in combination with function generator and oscilloscope allows for precise measurement of heat dissipation in plant materials. This study aims to determine and compare the heat dissipation properties of young bitter leaf (YBL) and mature bitter leaf (MBL) samples obtained from two different locations. Measurements were conducted on ten fresh leaf samples per category from each location. Results indicated that for samples from the first location, the dissipation factors for YBL and MBL were (2.076 ± 0.010) and (3.231 ± 0.013) respectively, while from the second location, the values were (3.231 ± 0.013) and (3.233 ± 0.015) respectively. The data suggest that while the geographical location does not significantly influence the heat dissipation of bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina), the age of the leaves does, with YBL exhibiting a higher capacity to withstand elevated temperatures compared to MBL under identical storage conditions. This study provides insight into the thermal properties of bitter leaf, contributing to broader research on plant thermoregulation. The novelty of this work lies in its demonstration that leaf age, rather than location, is a determinant factor in heat dissipation.