Wieslaw Oleszek | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Prof Wieslaw Oleszek, Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation, State Research Institute, Poland

Wiesław Oleszek, born on February 27, 1948, in Bełżyce, Poland, is a distinguished agricultural biochemist and professor. He serves as the Director of the Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation, State Research Institute in Pulawy, Poland. With extensive expertise in plant glycosides, allelopathy, and natural antioxidants, he has significantly contributed to agricultural biochemistry. Throughout his career, he has held key positions in professional societies, including the Phytochemical Society of Europe and the Polish Phytochemical Society. He has been a visiting researcher at Cornell University, the Food Research Institute in the UK, and INRA in France. A member of the Polish Academy of Sciences, his research focuses on natural bioactive compounds in plants, food quality, and functional foods. With over 8,450 citations and an H-index of 50 (Scopus), his work has greatly influenced the fields of biochemistry and agricultural sciences.

Publication Profile

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Education

Wiesław Oleszek earned his Master of Science (MS) in 1975 from Maria Curie-Sklodowska University in Lublin, Poland. He pursued a PhD in Agricultural Sciences with a specialization in Biochemistry at the Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation (IUNG) in Pulawy, completing it in 1985. His research focused on plant biochemistry, particularly the study of glycosides and their agricultural applications. In 1992, he obtained his Habilitation in Biochemistry from IUNG Pulawy, marking his advancement as an independent researcher in the field. His academic excellence led to his appointment as a Full Professor in 1998, a title conferred by the President of Poland. His education laid a strong foundation for his pioneering work in plant biochemistry, natural toxicants, and bioactive compounds in agriculture, making him a globally recognized expert in his field.

Experience

Wiesław Oleszek has had a prolific career in plant biochemistry. He worked as a Visiting Fellow at Cornell University (1979–1980, 1987), researching glycoalkaloids in tomatoes and phenolic compounds in apples. In 1989, he was a Visiting Scientist at the Food Research Institute in Norwich, UK, focusing on alfalfa saponins and NMR techniques. In 1992, he was a Postdoctoral Trainee at INRA, Avignon, France, studying pear phenolics. That same year, he became Head of the Biochemistry and Crop Quality Department at IUNG Pulawy, Poland. In 2010, he was appointed Director of IUNG Pulawy, where he leads groundbreaking research on plant-based bioactive compounds. His expertise spans allelopathy, natural pesticides, and functional foods, shaping advancements in agricultural sciences worldwide.

Awards & Honors

• Full Professor Title (1998) – Awarded by the President of Poland 🇵🇱
• Committee Member, Phytochemical Society of Europe (1994–1998) 🌿
• General Secretary, Phytochemical Society of Europe (2002–2007) ✉️
• Vice-Chairman, Phytochemical Society of Europe (2008–2010) 🔬
• Chairman, Phytochemical Society of Europe (2010–2012) 🏅
• Secretary, Polish Phytochemical Society (1995–Present) 📖
• Member, Polish Academy of Sciences 🧬
• Editorial Board Member, Allelopathy Journal 📑
• Founding Member, International Allelopathy Society 🌾
• Member, COST Domain Committee “Food and Agriculture,” Brussels 🌍

Research Focus

Wiesław Oleszek specializes in the isolation, purification, and structural analysis of plant glycosides, including saponins, phenolics, glycoalkaloids, glucosinolates, and cyanogenic glucosides. His research explores the role of natural toxicants in plant allelopathy, the development of natural pesticides, and the enhancement of post-harvest agricultural product quality. He investigates bioactive compounds for their antioxidant, anticancer, and nutraceutical properties, contributing to functional food and feed additive development. His work bridges agricultural biochemistry and human health by identifying plant-derived compounds with potential applications in medicine, food safety, and sustainable agriculture. His expertise in secondary metabolite biosynthesis has positioned him as a global leader in plant biochemistry and natural product research.

Publications

• Glycoalkaloid content in wild Solanum species and its effect on enzymatic browning of fruits 🍅
• Phenolic compounds from apples and their influence on fruit browning 🍏
• Membrane activity of alfalfa saponins and their structural characterization using NMR techniques 🌿
• Pear phenolics and their impact on post-harvest quality and nutrition 🍐
• Natural toxicants in plants: Implications for food safety and agriculture 🌾
• Allelopathic effects of plant-derived bioactive compounds on weed suppression 🌱
• Saponins as natural pesticides: A sustainable approach for crop protection 🛡️
• Antioxidant and anticancer properties of plant-derived secondary metabolites 🧪
• Nutraceutical potential of glucosinolates in functional food applications 🍽️
• Biosynthesis of resorcinols and their role in plant defense mechanisms 🌎