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Recently the previous Caspian ecosystem is in a catastrophic condition which caused changes in the absolute and relative abundance of the commercially important Caspian kutum (Rutilus frisii kutum) in Iranian waters. The paper presents estimates of yield-per-recruit and spawning biomass-per-recruit under various harvest strategies of F_max, F_0.1, F_30%. It proposes a method for estimating acceptable biological catch (ABC) that accounts for large differences in the quality and quantity of information and available data. The current average Y/R (with F=0.61/y, and t_c=3.2 y) was 218.3 g per recruit, which indicates that the fishery is operating below the maximum Y/R at 236.9 g when t_c = 3.5 y. The Y/R was the highest at F_max and F_0.1, when t_c = 4 y (244.8 g and 214.2 g), respectively. The F_30% value was 0.85/y at t_c of 4 y with the SB/R of 338.3 g. The F_current (0.61/y at current t_c is 3.2 y) is higher than the corresponding reference points, F_0.1 (0.47/y) and F_30% (0.46/y). The ABC of kutum was estimated at 7,850 mt in 2009-2010.

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Acute toxicity (96h-LC₅₀) of potassium permanganate (PM) was determined for Caspian kutum Rutilus frisii kutum at two size classes (1 and 3 g). Static renewal method was used. Fish were exposed to different concentrations of PM and mortality was recorded thereafter, until 96 h. Exposed fish showed behavioral stress indicators. 96h-LC₅₀ was calculated to be 3.204 (3.147-3.260) mg/L for small fish and 3.460 (3.393-3.528) mg/L for large fish. Safe concentration for small and large fish was calculated to be 0.003-0.320 and 0.003-0.342 mg/L, respectively. No Observed Effect Concentration (NOEC) and Lowest Observed Effect Concentration (LOEC) were 2.6 and 2.8 mg/L for small and 2.8 and 3.0 mg/L for large fish. Results indicated that Caspian kutum is susceptible to PM toxicity; although less than many tested species. Likewise, toxicity of PM significantly decreases with increase in fish weight. Higher tolerance in large fish compared to small fish might be as a result of increased stress resistance and higher quality of these fish.

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The effects of various levels of the commercial dietary supplement, Hoplite containing glucan, on growth performance, body composition and intestinal microbiota in white fish, Rutilus frisii kutum fry were investigated. 25 white fish fry (mean weight=1 ± 0.15 g) were stocked in each experimental tank (100 L). The fry were fed experimental diets supplemented with 0, 0.5, 1 and 2% Hoplite to apparent satiation, 3 times a day for 60 days. Biometry was performed every two weeks. Mean dissolved oxygen concentration, pH and water temperature recorded during the experiment were 5.0±0.1 mg/l, 7.8±0.2 and 24.4±0.11 ºC, respectively. At the end of the trial period, growth parameters, body composition and intestinal microbiota were studied. Results indicate that fry fed 0.5 and 1% glucan exhibited highest weight gain (WG), specific growth rate (SGR) and final body weight (FBW) which were significantly different (P

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Separate or combined effects of inulin and mannan oligosaccharide supplements on the growth, survival, body composition and salinity resistance of kutum roach (Rutilus frisii kutum) fry (410 ± 19 mg)  were investigated for 45 days in 40-liter tanks containing 30 individuals. Fish were fed 7 to 12% body weight with a commercial diet (35% protein and 12% lipid) supplemented with 0 (control), 5 g kg^-1 inulin, 5 g kg^-1 MOS and 2.5 g kg^-1 inulin + 2.5 g kg^-1 MOS in a totally randomized design trial in triplicate.  A general enhanced growth performance and feed efficiency were observed in fish fed on diet containing 5 g kg^-1 MOS (p<0.05). There were no significant differences in survival rate among treatments (p>0.05). NO significant difference was observed in body composition, but protein and lipid contents in the whole body increased in fish fed with 5 g kg^-1 MOS and control group. In general, the fish fed 5 g kg^-1 MOS had the highest survival index after 48 hours exposed to salinity stress (15 ppt). Results showed 5 g kg^-1 MOS could improve growth performance, survival and salinity stress resistance of kutum fry.

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The early morphological development and allometric growth pattern of Caspian kutum (Rutilus frisii kutum) during early development (from 0-35 days post hatch=dph) was studied. Morphological data were obtained using ImageJ software from 2D pictures and allometric growth patterns were computed based on Log10 y = Log10 α + βLog x function. Based on inflexion point of morphological traits and body shape changes, the early developmental of kutum were divided into Eleuthero-embryo, Propterygio-larval, Pterygio-larval” and younger juvenile phases, each of which included vital developmental events. Rapid and intense changes occurred during Eleuthero-embryo and Propterygio-larvae stages such as development of gills, depletion of yolk-sac and exogenous feeding, development of feeding apparatus, sense organs and organs related to swimming performance. The results also revealed that developmental changes occurred in agreement with the inflexion points of morphological characters and their developmental priority imply on functional importance of feeding, respiration and swimming related structures.

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The effects of fennel essential oil (Foeniculum vulgare) at 5 levels of 0 (control), 100, 200, 400 and 600 mg per kg. of diet on growth performance, survival, body composition and hematological parameters of the Caspian kutum fry, Rutilus frisii kutum, were investigated in a 60-days feeding trial. No significant differences in the growth related parameters and survival were observed among treatments (p>0.05). The highest level of fat was observed in 100 mg fennel essential oil (p<0.05). The highest level of white blood cells was observed in 100 mg and the highest levels of red blood cells, hematocrite and hemoglobin were observed in 400 mg; the lowest level of MCV was observed in the control. No significant differences were observed in other parameters such as MCH and MCHC. In conclusion, fennel essential oil had no significant effect on the growth related parameters of the Caspian kutum fry, but 100 mg of fennel essential oil/kg diet would play an important role in promoting immune system of the fish by increasing the white and red blood cells.

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The purpose of this study was to determine the effect combined application of dietary Fructooligosaccharid (FOS) and Pediococcus acidilacticiplus Lactococcus lactison some growth preformane, haematological parameters and intestinal microbiota of Rutilus frisii kutum. According to the bacterial growth in in vitro condition and production of volatile fatty acid (VFA), t hree treatments consisting of (Treat1): 0.5% FOS plus 10¹⁰cfu/g Lactococcus lactisand and 10⁷cfu/g Pediococcus acidilactici, (Treat2): 0.5% FOS plus 10¹⁰cfu/g Lactococcus lactisand and 10¹⁰cfu/g Pediococcus acidilactici and (Treat3): 0.5% FOS plus10⁷cfu/g Lactococcus lactisand and 10¹⁰cfu/g Pediococcus acidilactici were used in 400 Kutum fry weighing 0.75±0.02 g obtained from a reproduction fish center, Guilan Province Iran.. Fish were kept in 1000 L water and fed on experimental diet for 60 days. Results showed that growth indices such as final weight (FW) and specific growth rate (SGR) were significantly increased in all treatment groups compared to control one (p<0.05). Also, FCR in all treatments were lower than control one. In treatment 1, final weight (1.67) , SGR (1.34) and FCR (2) were significantly higher than other treatments. The results showed that hematological parameters values in different treatments showed no significant differences (p>0.05). However, immunoglubolin level in treatment 1 (22.33mg/ml ) was significantly higher than other treatments. The total lactic acid bacteria counts in treatment 1 (5.2) and treatment 3 (5) was significantly higher than other treatments (p<0.05). The present findings show that the combined application of probiotics and prebiotics could be a useful tool in the rearing of early stages of Rutilus frisi kutum fry.
Key word: Rutilus frisikutum fry,synbiosis,growth, intestinal microbiot

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Change in chemical deterioration index (peroxide value, PV; thiobarbituric acid index, TBA; free fatty acids, FFA; total volatile basic nitrogen, TVB-N) and sensory properties (texture, general appearance and eye) of kutum (Rutilus frisii kutum) during 6 months frozen storage (-18 º C) was investigated. PV were increased until month 3, then decreased (P<0/05). During storage period the amount of TBA and FFA increased (P<0/05). TVB-N value did not follow a regular pattern but on the whole increased during storage period. None of the chemical quality parameters exceeded the acceptability limits. These results were supported by the results of sensory analyses. Results of this study showed that kutum has acceptable quality during 6 month frozen storage. 

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Rutilus frisii kutum is one of the most important and economic fish in our country. Since the passage of time and temperature on the quality of fish caught continuous reduced, so decreasing the temperature by ice storage, immediately after fishing, is a good methodto avoid loss of quality fall. Inthisstudy change of some quality parameters of R. frisii kutum during ice storage for 16 days such as expressible moisture, pH, thiobarbituric acid, total volatile nitrogen, free fatty acid, psychrotrophic count and total viable count to assessment the effects of delay of putting ice on fish caught and loss in quality product was measured. According to these results, the chemical and bacterial indicators were increased significantly during the storage in ice. Delayed icing caused the higher degree of oxidation. Furthermore, delayed icing, lack of attention to correct method of storage, and ice storage for a long time can decrease the quality of meat. It is better that fish be ice storage after fishing immediately. Shorten the shelf life of the product on the ice and accelerate cooling, helps to increase the shelf life of the product.  

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This study was carried out to investigate the effects of salinity levels (0, 2, 4, 7 and 10 ppt) on growth indices, blood biochemical parameters, and body composition in Rutilus frisii kutum fingerlings (initial weight 1.330.02 g) during 60 days. Results indicated that the highest rates of daily growth, specific growth and weight gain per fish were obtained at the levels of 4 and 2 ppt (P<0.05). The lowest rates of these indices were observed at 10 ppt (P<0.05). FCR (food conversion ratio) and CF (condition factor) showed no significant difference among various treatments (P>0.05). Findings of blood biochemical factors at the end of the study (hematocrit, total protein, glucose, cholesterol, calcium, sodium, potassium and magnesium) revealed no significant variation in different salinities (P>0.05). Changes in protein, moisture, fat and ash content were not significant at the end of the experimental period (P>0.05).

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Mechanical damage due to harvesting, handling, and other processes is an important factor that affects the seeds quality. Seed damage results in lower grain value and more storability problem and reduces seed germination and seedling vigor and subsequent yield of crops. Tests were conducted to determine the percentage of physical damage (PPD) and percentage of loss in germination (PLG) of wheat seeds due to impact. The effect of wheat seed cultivar and impact velocity was determined. Wheat seed cultivars selected for testing included: Kohdasht, Maron, Simereh, Sardari and Zagros. Four impact velocities: 10, 20, 30 and 40 m s-1 were used. Results showed that effects of impact velocity and seed cultivar on seed damages were significant. PPD to seeds was higher than PLG in higher impact velocities. It found that the total damage of seeds increased from 4.17% (0.48 PPD and 3.68 PLG) to 73.32 % (47.59 PPD and 25.73 PLG) as impact velocity increased from 10 to 40 m s-1 for all wheat cultivars studied. Impact results indicated that Sardari wheat cultivar was more susceptible to PPD (27.39 %), while Maron seeds were more susceptible to PLG (14.70%). Among the cultivars studied, Sardari wheat seeds showed the highest level of total damage i.e.sum of PPD and PLG.

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 In order to reduce waste and increase the added value of marine products, this study utilized Caspian kutum fish scales as fish waste to extract gelatin. The effects of two methods—water-bath and ultrasound—on the physicochemical characteristics of the extracted gelatin were compared. Gelatin was extracted from Caspian kutum fish scales by water bath and ultrasound-assisted extraction at 60 °C for 1, 2, and 3 hours. The results showed that, in general, ultrasound caused a significant increase in the extraction yield, %protein, and %ash of the samples (P<0.05). The results of SDS-PAGE and FTIR analysis confirmed that ultrasound could affect the structure of gelatin proteins, and longer extraction times (2 and 3 hours) caused a decrease in the content of alpha chains compared to that of beta chains. The FTIR results showed amides A, B, I, II, III peaks, and these peaks became more intense in samples extracted by ultrasound and at higher extraction times. The melting point and gel strength of gelatin extracted by ultrasound were 26.67 °C and 269 g, respectively, which were significantly lower than those of the gelatin extracted by water bath (27.67°C and 307g, respectively) (P<0.05). The thermal analysis of gelatins showed that all samples had a broad endothermic peak between 35 °C and 200 °C related to water evaporation and an exothermic peak between 300 °C and 400 °C related to the thermal decomposition of gelatin.