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Sustainability is the most critical point in micro-scale indoor crop systems. It can be improved through the optimization of all of the production factors, such as water, nutrients, and energy. The use of light-emitting diodes (LED) allows the fine regulation of the light intensity and light spectrum to be obtained, with a significant reduction in energy consumption. The objective of this study was the optimization of a LED-based protocol of light management for Romaine lettuce cultivation in a micro-growing environment specifically designed for home cultivation. Four different growing cycles were tested. In each one, the light spectrum was modified by increasing the percentage of red light and decreasing the blue light. This resulted in a change in the light intensity which ranged from 63.2 to 194.54 µmol m −2 s −1 . Moreover, the photoperiod was shortened to reduce the energy consumption and, in the last cycle, the effect of the daily alternation of dark and light was tested. The fresh and dry biomass produced were measured and the energy consumed in each cycle was monitored. The quality of lettuce was evaluated by measuring several physiological indexes, including chlorophyll a fluorescence, chlorophyll, sugars, nitrate, lipid peroxidation, carotenoids, and phenolic index. The results obtained showed that the productivity and the quality of lettuce can be positively affected by modulating the light quality and intensity, as well as other cultural practices. At the same time, the estimation of the electrical energy consumption indicated that little changes in the lighting recipe can significantly affect the energetic, environmental, and economic impact of home productions.

To study age-related variations in fatty acid composition of covering and intramuscular fat (IMF), 60 half siblings, Pic X Camborough, of the same age, 30 barrows and 30 gilts, chosen from 10 litters were used. Groups of 20 subjects each, 10 castrated males and 10 females, balanced for litter, were sacrificed at 6, 8.5 and 9.5 months of age, corresponding to the common slaughter age of the three Italian pig production types, at live weights averaging approximately 90, 145 and 160 kg, respectively. Samples of backfat and longissimus thoracis (LT) muscle, taken at the last rib, were analysed. On LT samples, moisture, fat content and drip loss were determined. Fatty acid composition was determined in lipids from subcutaneous adipose tissue and in lipid fractions from LT. Further, backfat lipids were submitted to iodine value (I.V.) determination. The data were evaluated by means of analysis of variance with age at slaughter and sex as the independent variables. As age increased (6, 8.5 and 9.5 months), higher contents of saturated fatty acids (SFA) (36.36, 39.08 and 39.19%, respectively; P<0.01) and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) (41.78, 43.44 and 44.37%, respectively; P<0.01) were observed in backfat, whereas polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) content, PUFA/SFA ratio and I.V. lowered (P<0.01). As total IMF is concerned, by increasing age, MUFA content increased (43.30; 46.76 and 47.28%, respectively; P<0.01), PUFA content decreased (18.63, 15.14 and 14.82%, respectively; P<0.01) and PUFA/SFA decreased as well (P<0.05); neutral lipids followed the same pattern, while an opposite trend was observed in polar lipids. IMF content (1.65%) was modified neither by sex nor age. The study shows that fatty acids composition of subcutaneous and intramuscular fats differs among the 3 slaughtering ages typical of the Italian pig industry. The variations observed, which could be ascribed to the increase of carcass fatness at increasing slaughter age, can affect both the nutritional and technological quality of pork

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