Abstract: In this study, the effect of relative humidity on water evaporation loss of spinach during storage period was investigated. During 44 h of storage at 5 ℃ and a relative humidity of 99%, the water loss rates of single spinach and bound spinach were 41.32% and 23.32%, respectively. In addition, under the same temperature and storage period and different relative humidity levels: 99%, 80% and 40%, the water loss rates of single spinach were 66.70%, 54.60% and 41.32%, respectively. Moreover, a correlation between water loss rate and relative humidity was established. These results showed that during the early part of the storage period, spinach revealed higher relative humidity and lower water loss rate. However, with increasing storage time, water loss rates were basically the same under various relative humidity levels.

Key words: spinach, relative humidity, surface area, water loss rate