CURRICULUM VITAE AND LIST OF PUBLICATIONS · Web viewAnnual report submitted to Chief Scientist's, Office, Israel Ministry of Industry and Commerce. 8. Wiesman, Z. (1999). Improved

January 2004

CURRICULUM VITAE AND LIST OF PUBLICATIONS

Zeev Wiesman

Personal Details

Date and place of birth October 20, 1957, Israel Regular military service 1976 - 1979Address and tel. at work Institutes for Applied Research,

The Institute for Agriculture & Applied Biology BGU, Beer-Sheva, IsraelTel: 972-8-6477184Fax: 972-8-6477184e-mail: [email protected]

Address and tel. at home Sivchi 7, Lehavim, IsraelTel: 972-8-6512723Mobile: 972-055-999451

Education

1979 - 1982 B.Sc., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Horticulture

1982 - 1985 M.Sc., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of HorticultureAdvisors: Prof. A. Erez and Prof. A. GurThesis Title: Prevention of fruit drop of berba figs and its effect on hormonal balance in the fruit Agriculture Extension Certificate, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Faculty of Agriculture.

1985 - 1989 Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Horticulture.Advisor: Prof. J. Riov.

Thesis Title: Metabolism of IBA in relation to rooting of cuttings.

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Employment History

1998 - to date Senior Lecturer, The Institutes for Applied Research, Institute for Agriculture & Applied Biology Beer-Sheva, Ben-Gurion University

1996 - 1998 Lecturer, Institute for Agriculture & Applied Biology, The Institutes for Applied Research, Ben-Gurion University

1992 - 1996 Research Scientist, Department of Fruit Trees, Bet Dagan, ARO, Institute of Horticulture

1990 - 1992 Postdoctoral position, Plant Molecular Biology Laboratory USDA, Beltsville, Maryland, USASubject: Regulation of gene expression in tomato fruit

1989 - 1990 Postdoctoral position, Otto Warburg Biotechnology Center, The Faculty of Agriculture, The Hebrew University of JerusalemSubject: Molecular biology and biocontrol agents

1985 - 1989 Research Scientist, The Faculty of Agriculture, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem

1982 – 1985 Professional Manager of the fruit trees unit at the Experimental Farm, ARO, Bet Dagan

Professional Activities

(a) Professional functions outside universities/institutions

2003 Member of the organizing committee for Minisymposium of Novel Biotechnology Approach of Rice Cultivation Mosquito Control, Israel

2003 Member of the organizing committee for botanical garden establishment in Lehavim

2003 BGU investigator in Nizanim plantation

2003 Member of scientific reviewing committee of the Salinity Center, BGU

2002 - 2003 Member of the organizing committee for AgriTech 2003 Exibition, Israel

2002 Head of the organizing committee for International Minisymposium of Foliar Delivery of Agro-Vant Multipurpose Nutritional Products, BGU, Beer-Sheva, Israel

1999 - 2003 Working package leader for EC project, "Shea butter oil analyses" (the working group includes Oil Technology Institute, Pescara, Italy and Aarhus Oilefabrik A/S, Aarhus, Denmark)


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1998 International course leader, 'Vegetative propagation of trees' - ICRAF, Nairobi, Kenya.

1997 – to date Member of the Salinity Center, BGU.

1997 - to date Olive investigator for R&D Ramat Negev.

1995 - 1997 Member of external teaching staff, Department of Horticulture, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Faculty of Agriculture, Rehovot

1995 - 1996 Olive reviewing committee, Office of the Chief Scientist, Ministry of Agriculture

1994 - 1996 Olive growing committee in Israel

1994 - 1995 Initiator and member of organizing committee of scientific meeting for developing a Middle East agricultural development program including Egypt, Palestinian Authority, Israel and University of Maryland, USA

(b) Significant professional consulting

2002 – to date Head of R&D of Mosquito Control Project Ramat Negev, Israel-Piemonte, Italy.

2000 - 2003 Consulting and acting as Head of R&D to AgroVant in the development of new nutritional - protective agricultural products

2000 - 2003 Consulting to DSBG in development of new forest fire retardants

1999 - to date Director, AgroVant Ltd. (located in Beer-Sheva)

1999 – 2000 Consulting to Rotem Amfert Negev in foliar application of Peak product

1999 Consulting on behalf of BGU for a development project in the province of San Louis, Argentine (olive cultivation and processing)

1997 -1999 Initiator and director of a new start up company, AgroVant Ltd. (located in the Ofakim, Technology Center)

(c) Editor or member of editorial board of scientific or professional journal

1996 - 1997 Reviewer of Physiologia Plantarum in the fields of vegetative propagation and olive

1994 – to date Ad hoc reviewer: ARO publications, Hassadeh, Dapei Meida

(d) Membership in professional/scientific societies

2003 - European Society of Phytochemicals

2003 - EuroCarb Society


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2002- EMCA

2002 - Biomat.net

2002 - AgroProtect

2000 - International Water & Irrigation

1998 - 2002 American Society of Horticultural Science

1989 - 1994 The European Society of Plant Physiology

1993 - 1994 The Japanese Society of Soil and Plant Nutrition.

1992 - 1994 The American Society of Plant Molecular Biology

1986 - 2002 Israel Society of Botany

Educational activities

(a) Courses taught

1998 - 2002 "Plant Hormones" - Graduate and M.Sc. students – Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Department of Life Sciences

1998 - 2003 "Plant Sciences – Seminar" - M.Sc. and Ph. D. students - Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Department of Life Sciences

2000 – 2003 "Laboratory and Plant Hormones" - Graduate and M.Sc. students - Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Department of Life Sciences

1998 - 2003 "Supervision of Scientific Reading" - Graduate students - Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Department of Life Sciences

1999 - 2003 "Endocrinology" - Graduate students – Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Department of Life Sciences (invited teacher).

2003 - "Introduction to Phytohormones in Biotechnology" - Graduate and M.Sc. students – Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Department of Biotechnology Engineering.

2004 - "Agricultural Biotechnology" - Graduate and M.Sc. students – Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Department of Biotechnology Engineering.

2004 - "Introduction to Biotechnology" (The Plant Cell) - Graduate students – Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Department of Biotechnology Engineering.

(b) Research students

2003 - Vinod Sharan - Postdoc fellow, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, The Institutes for Applied Research.


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2003 - Oxana Genis - Ph.D. student, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, The Institutes for Applied Research (together with Dr. M. Zaccai)

2002 - Ram Asahel - Ph.D. student, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, The Institutes for Applied Research (together with Dr. M. Zaccai)

2002 - 2003 Ibrahim Abosiam - M.Sc. student, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, The Institutes for Applied Research

2002 - Sebastian Weissbein - Ph.D. Student, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, The Institutes for Applied Research

2002 - Bishnu Pasard Changain - Ph.D. student, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, The Institutes for Applied Research (together with Dr. L. Tzror, ARO, Gilat Center)

2001 - 2003 Efrat Sharvit - M.Sc. student, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, The Institutes for Applied Research

2000 - 2001 Dan Pelach - Postdoc fellow, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, The Institutes for Applied Research (together with Dr. A. Markus).-

2000 - 2003 Naomi Ben Dom - Postdoc fellow, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, The Institutes for Applied Research

1999 - 2003 Steve Maranz - Ph.D. student - Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, The Institutes for Applied Research (together with Prof. N. Garti, Hebrew University of Jerusalem)

1999 - 2001 Bishnu Pasard Changain - M.Sc. student, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, The Institutes for Applied Research (together with Dr. M. Zaccai)

1999 - 2002 Liliana Schwartz - Ph.D. student, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, The Institutes for Applied Research (together with Prof. D. Wolf and Dr. A. Markus).

1998 - 1999 Slavonir Wybraniec – Postdoc fellow, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, The Institutes for Applied Research (together with Dr. A. Markus and Prof. D. Wolf)

1998 - 2001 Eyal Keidar - M.Sc. student, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, The Institutes for Applied Research


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1998 - 2001 Milana Luber - M.Sc. student, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, The Institutes for Applied Research

1997 - 1999 Ruth Friedman - M.Sc. student, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, The Institutes for Applied Biology (together with Dr. D. Mills and Prof. A. Benzioni)

1997 - 1998 Liliana Schwartz - M.Sc. student, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, The Institutes for Applied Research (together with Prof. D. Wolf and Dr. A. Markus)

1994 - 1997 Gila Hirshland - M.Sc. student, The Faculty of Agriculture, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem (together with Prof. Y. Riov)

(c) Advisor of research projects of technical students

2003 Olga Shochov - graduate student, Biotechnology research project, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, The Institutes for Applied Research

1999 - 2000 Amir Haham and Amichai Sagi - chemical engineering students, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, The Institutes for Applied Research (together with Prof. D. Wolf and Dr. A. Markus).

2000 Keren Berenstein - graduate student, Biotechnology research project, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, The Institutes for Applied Research

1999 Itai Barnea - graduate student, Biotechnology research project, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, The Institutes for Applied Research (together with Dr. S. Grinberg and Dr. C. Linder).

1998 - 1999 Osrit Nidam - engineering student - Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, The Institutes for Applied Research (together with Dr. A. Markus).

1997 - 1998 Shahar Bahral and Inbal Izenbruch- chemical engineering students - Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, The Institutes for Applied Research (together with Prof. D. Wolf and Dr. A. Markus).

1997 - 1998 Halil Abo Rabia and Vladimir Klychman - chemical engineering students, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, The Institutes for Applied Research (together with Prof. D. Wolf and Dr. A. Markus).


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1997 - 1998 Ami Lavee - engineering student, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, The Institutes for Applied Research (together with Dr. A. Markus).

1996 - 1997 Zadoc Shai and Cobi Rahamim - chemical engineering students, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, The Institutes for Applied Research (together with Prof. D. Wolf and Dr. A. Markus).

1993 - 1994 Rivka Algazi - high school student, The Volcani Center, Bet Dagan.

1993 - 1994 Moran Blicher - high school student, The Volcani Center, Bet Dagan

1993 - 1994 Moshe Itzcovitz - engineering student, The Volcani Center, Bet Dagan

Awards, Citations, Honors, Fellowships

2003 – to date Head of Mosquito Control R&D Team of Ramat Negev, Israel –Piemonte, Italy project.

2002 - to date Head, “R&D Unit for Upgrading of Bio-Industries in the Negev”, The Institutes for Applied Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev

1999 - to date Scientific director of Dibner program of Excellence "Natural Products from Desert Oil Trees", BGU.

1999 Israel - Germany program to host a senior scientist (Prof. Dr. J. Schonherr) in my laboratory.

1998 MASHAV - Fellowship to visit in IRTA, Spain and to host a Spanish Scientist (Dr. J. Tous Marti) in my laboratory.

1991 - 1992 BARD - ($12,000) - Extension of Postdoctoral Fellowship

1990 - 1991 US-Israel Binational Agricultural Research and development (BARD) - ($24,000) - Postdoctoral Fellowship


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Scientific Publications

Chapters in Collective Volumes1. Pelah, D., Abramovich, Z., Markus, A. and Wiesman, Z. (2003). Balanites

aegyptiaca and Quillaja saponaria extracts as potential insecticides. In: "Combating Desertification with Plants." D. Pasternak and A. Schlissel, eds. Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publisher, New York. (in press)*

2. Wiesman, Z. (2003). Olive as a classical oil tree for desert conditions. In: "Combating Desertification with Plants." D. Pasternak and A. Schlissel, eds. Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publisher, New York. (in press)*

Refereed Articles and Letters in Scientific Journals1. Wiesman, Z. and Epstein, E. (1987). Metabolism and transport of 3H-indole-3-

butyric acid in cuttings of olive. Olea 18: 29-33.2. Epstein, E. and Wiesman, Z. (1987). Improved vegetative propagation of olive

cultivars with IBA-alanine. Olea 18: 35-38.3. Wiesman, Z., Riov, J. and Epstein, E. (1988). Comparison of movement and rate of

metabolism of indole-3-acetic acid and indole-3-butyric acid in cuttings. Physiol. Plant. 74: 556-560.

4. Wiesman, Z., Riov, J. and Epstein, E. (1989). Effect of paclobutrazol and urea phosphate on rooting and survival of peach 'Maravilha' softwood cuttings. HortScience 24: 908-909.

5. Wiesman, Z., Riov, J. and Epstein, E. (1989). Characterization and rooting ability of indole-3-butyric acid conjugates formed during rooting of mung bean cuttings. Plant Physiol. 91: 1080-1084.

6. Oldentlich, A., Wiesman, Z., Gotlieb, U., Cojicaro, M. and Chet, I. (1992). Inhibitory furanone produced by the biocontrol agent Trichoderma harzianum. Phytochemistry 31: 485-486.

7. Li, N., Wiesman, Z., Liu, D. and Mattoo, A. K. (1992). A functional tomato ACC synthase expressed in Escherichia coli demonstrates suicidal inactivation by its substrate S-adenosylmethionine. FEBS Letters 306: 1-5.

8. Wiesman, Z. and Lavee, S. (1994). Vegetative growth retardation, improved rooting and viability of olive cuttings. Plant Growth Reg. 14: 83-90.

9. Wiesman, Z., Grafi, G., Atzmon, N., Somer-Ilan, A. and Visel, Y. (1994). Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and cytokinin-like activity in municipal excess activated sewage sludge: effect on rooting of mung bean [Vigna radiata (L) Wilcz.] cuttings. Soil Sci. Plant Nut. 40: 117-124.

10. Wiesman, Z. and Riov, J. (1994). Interaction of paclobutrazol and indole-3-butyric acid in relation to rooting of mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) cuttings. Physiol. Plant. 40: 608-612.

11. Wiesman, Z. and Lavee, S. (1994). Rooting ability of olive cuttings from cv. Manzanillo F1 progeny plants in relation to their mother cultivar. Acta Hort. 356: 28-30.

12. Wiesman, Z. (1995). 'Ettinger' avocado response and nitrate involvement in chloride stress. Scientia Hort. 62: 33-43.


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13. Wiesman, Z. and Lavee, S. (1995). Enhancement of IBA stimulatory effect on rooting of olive cuttings. Scientia Hort. 63: 189-198.

14. Wiesman, Z. and Lavee, S. (1995). Relationship of carbohydrate sources and IBA in olive cuttings. Aust. J. Plant Physiol. 22: 811-816.

15. Atzmon, N., Wiesman, Z. and Van Staden, J. (1996). The effect of zeatin and iso-pentenyladenine on IAA transport from the shoot to the root of Pinus pinea seedlings. Plant Growth Reg. 19: 13-18.

16. Zilka, S., Wiesman, Z., Klein, I. and David, I. (1996). Foliar applied urea confers freezing protection to avocado and peach. Scientia Hort. 66: 85-92.

17. Lavee, S., Avidan, N. and Wiesman, Z. (1997). Genetic variation within the Nabali Baladi cultivar of the West Bank. Acta Hort. 474: 129-132.

18. Atzmon, N., Wiesman, Z. and Fiene, P. (1997). Utilization of sewage sludge for stimulation of rooting of Bougainvillea cuttings. J. Environ. Hort. 15: 1-5.

19. Wiesman, Z., Avidan, N., Lavee, S. and Quebedeaux, B. (1998). Molecular characterization of common olive cultivars in Israel and the West Bank. J. Am. Sc. Hort. Sci.123: 837-841.

20*. Lavee, S., Harshemesh, H., Haskal, A., Meni, Y., Wonder, M., Ogrodovich, A., Avidan, B., Wiesman, Z. Avidan, N. and Trapero Casas, A. (1999). ‘Maalot’ a new orchard resistant cultivar to Peacock eye leaf spot (Spilocaea oleagina cast.) Olivae 78: 51:59.

21*. Schwartz, L., Wolf, D., Markus, A. and Wiesman, Z. and Wybraniec, S. (2001). Controlled-release system for the insect growth regulator cyromazin. Clean Products and Processes 3: 49-54.

22*. Wybraniec, S., Schwartz, L., Wiesman, Z., Markus, A. and Wolf, D. (2002). Release characteristics of encapsulated formulations incorporating plant growth factors. J. Environ. Health – Part B. Pesticides, Food Contaminants and Agricultural Wastes. B37: 235-245.

23*. Chapagain, P. B., Wiesman, M. Zaccai, M. Haims, P and Magen, H. (2002). KCl enhances fruit appearance and improves quality of fertigated greenhouse tomato as compared to KNO3. J. Plant Nutr. 26: 643-658.

24*. Pelach, D., Markus, A. Abramovich, Z. and Wiesman, Z. (2002). The use of Quillaja saponaria extracts as potential mosquito larvicide. J. Ethno-pharmacology 81: 405-407.

25*. Wiesman Z., Markus A., Wybraniec S., Schwartz L., Wolf D. (2002). Promotion of rooting and development of cuttings by plant growth factors formulated into controlled-release system. Biology and Fertility of Soils 36: 330-334.

26*. Chapagain, P. B. and Wiesman, Z. (2004). Effect of potassium magnesium chloride in the fertigation solution as partial source of potassium on growth, yield and quality of greenhouse tomato. Scientia Hort. 99: 279-288..

27*. Maranz, S., Wiesman, Z., Bisgaard, J. and Bianchi, G. (2003). Germplasm resources of Vitellaria paradoxa based on shea butter characteristics of regional and village populations across the species distribution range. Agroforestry Systems (in press).


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28*. Wiesman, Z. and Chapagain, P. Bishnu (2003). Natural saponin system for efficient, safe and cheap mosquito control. Dengue Bul. 27: (in press).

29*. Maranz, S. and Wiesman, Z. (2003). Anthropogenic origins of African savanna structure and woody species distribution. J. Biogeography 30: 1505-1516.

30*. Wiesman, Z., David, I. And Ben Dom, N. (2003). Optimization of saline water level for sustainable Barnea olives and oil production in desert conditions. Scientia Hort. (in press).

31*. Schwartz, L., Wolf, D., Markus, Wybraniec, S. and Wiesman, Z. (2003). Controlled-release systems for delivery of the insect growth regulator pyriproxifan. J. Agric. Food Chem. 51: 5985-5989.

32*. Schwartz, L., Wolf, D., Markus, Wybraniec, S. and Wiesman, Z. (2003). Controlled release systems for delivery of cyromazine. J. Agric. Food Chem. 51: 5972-5976.

33*. Chapagain, P. B., Wiesman, Z. (2003). Effect of foliar spray of NutriVant Peak on plant development, yield and fruit quality of greenhouse grown tomatoes. Scientia Hort. (accepted).

34*. Maranz, S., Kpikpi, W., Wiesman, Z. and De Saint Sauveur, A. (2003). Use and nutritional value of shea fruits, Vitellaria paradoxa (Sapotaceae), in the traditional African parkland-ecosystem of the Sudanian savanna belt. J. Econ. Bot. (in press).

35*. Maranz, S., Wiesman, Z. and Garti, N. (2003). LC-MS identification of catechin antioxidant compounds in shea butter. J. Agric. Food Chem. 51: 6268-6273.

*New – since last promotion

Reviewed Conference Proceedings1*. Wiesman, Z., Ronen, A., Ankorion Y., Novikov, V., Maranz, S. and Abramovich,

Z. (2002). Effect of Olive-Nutri-Vant on Yield and quality of olives and oil. Acta. Hort. 594: 557-562.

2*. Wiesman, Z., Luber, M., Ronen, A. and Markus, A. (2002). Ferti-Vant - A new nondestructive and long-lasting in vivo delivery system for foliar nutrients. Acta. Hort. 594: 585-590

Nonrefereed Professional Articles1. Riov, J., Wiesman, Z. and Epstein, E. (1990). Auxin derivates for rooting.

Technology Transfer February, p. 6.2. Wiesman, Z., Grafi, G., Atzmon, N., Somer-Ilan, A. and Visel, Y. (1994). Stimulation

of development of mung bean cuttings by municipal sewage sludge. International Rev. Water Irrig. ( invited manuscript).

3. Wiesman, Z., De Malach, Y. and David, Y. (2002). Olives and saline water – story of success. International Water & Irrigation 22: 18-21 (invited manuscript).*


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4. Wiesman, Z., Markus, A., Luber, M. and Ronen, A. (2002). FertiVant – A new nondestructive and long-lasting in vivo delivery system for foliar nutrients. International Water & Irrigation 22 (4): 34-41. (invited manuscript).*

5. Wiesman, Z. (2003). Biotechnological applications of novel multipurpose foliar control delivery nutrients based products. International New Ag Magazine (in press, invited manuscript). *

Conference Proceedings1. Lavee, S. Wiesman, Z. and Avidan, N. (1995). The Israeli olive industry:

Present state, problems and research activities. Proc. Cosenza Inter. Olive Meeting, Cosenza, Italy.

2. Markus, A., Wiesman, Z. and Wolf, D. (1997). Encapsulated hormo-fertilizers for stimulation rooting of cuttings. Proc. Chemical Engineering Congress, Beer-Sheva, Israel.

3. Maranz, S. and Wiesman, Z. (2000). Comparison of chemical composition of karate/shea butter from across its distribution range. Proc. Trees for Arid Lands Workshop, Beer Sheva, Israel.*

4. Pelach, D., Markus, A. Abramovich, Z. and Wiesman, Z. (2002). The use of Quillaja saponaria extracts as potential larvicide. Proc. The 2nd Workshop of the European Mosquito Control Association (emca), Bologna, Italy (Abst. 49).*

5. Markus, A., Schwartz, L., Wolf, D., Wiesman, Z., Strongin, P. and Abramovich, Z. (2002). Optimal controlled-release systems for delivery of insect growth regulators. Proc. Israel Institute of Chemical Engineers. Tel Aviv, Israel (p. 12).*

Articles in Non-Reviewed Hebrew Journals1. Wiesman, Z., Erez, A., Gur, A. and Shulman, Y. (1985). Berba figs as a

commercial crop. A) Induction of bud-break by hydro-cyanamide. Hassadeh 66: 503-505.

2. Wiesman, Z., Erez, A. and Gur, A. (1985). Berba figs as a commercial crop. B) Prevention of fruitlet drop by growth substances. Hassadeh 66: 506-512.

3. Wiesman, Z., Riov, J. and Epstein, E. (1988). Effect of paclobutrazol and urea phosphate on rooting of spring cuttings of peach cv. ‘Almog’. Hassadeh 68: 2142-2143.

4. Wiesman, Z., Grafi, G., Atzmon, N., Somer-Ilan, A. and Visel, Y. (1994). Stimulation of development of mung bean cuttings by municipal sewage sludge. Hassadeh 5: 561-563.

5. Koussevitzky, S., Wiesman, Z. and Blumenfeld, A. (1994) Determination of avocado cultivars’ sensitivity to frost. Hassadeh 54: 754-759.

6. Wiesman, Z. (1994). Characterization of biochemical systems for indication of avocado sensitivity to salinity. Hassadeh 55: 43-47.

7. Wiesman, Z. (1995). Characterization of response of avocado foliage and roots to saline irrigation. Hassadeh 55: 48-54.


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8. Wiesman, Z., Elgabi, F. and Lavee, S. (1995). Vegetative propagation of olive. A. Effect of plant material. Alon Hanotea 49: 136-140.

9. Wiesman, Z., Many, Y. and Lavee, S. (1995). Vegetative propagation of olive. B. Effect of hormones and propagative agrotechnique. Alon Hanotea 49: 228-233.

10. Wiesman, Z. and Avidan, B. and Zilberstein, M. (1995). Promotive effect of paclobutrazol on development of avocado roots. Alon Hanotea 53: 34-37.

11. Wiesman, Z., Avidan, N. and Lavee, S. (1997). Molecular characterization of common olive cultivars in Israel and the West Bank. Hassadeh 6: 53-56.

12. Wiesman, Z., Bierger, R. and Fatchi ad Elhadi. (1997). Mediterranean crop. Hassadeh 2: 46-49.

13. Musk, Y., Mezuman, O. and Wiesman, Z., Ronen, A. and Gefen, A. (2001). Effect of date of application and surfactants on foliar spray of Peak + Alvamid on ‘Shamuti’ and ‘Tempel’ citrus. Alon Hanotea 55: 215-218.*

14. Wiesman, Z., Ahronovitz, A., Ronen, A., Novikov, V. and Miron, I. (2002). Foliar fertilization with Olive Nutri-Vant for increase of olives and olive oil yields. Alon Hanotea 56: 128-132.*

Reports1. Wiesman, Z. (1996). Analyses of foliar spray of monopotassium phosphate in

olive. Annual submitted report to Rotem Amfert Negev.2. Wiesman, Z. and Benzioni, A. (1997). Selection of improved Balanites

aegyptica genotypes. Annual report submitted to Dibner Foundation.3. Wiesman, Z., Markus, A., Benzioni, A. and Mills, D. (1998). Accelerators for

Foliar Penetration of Fertilizers. Annual report submitted to Chief Scientist of Israeli Ministry of Industry and Commerce.

4. Wiesman, Z. and Markus, A. (1998). Hormo-mineral slow release compositions for promoting rooting and survival of plants. Annual report submitted to Harry Stern & Helen Tzoref Funds.

5. Wiesman, Z. (1998). Selection of improved Balanites aegyptica genotypes. Annual report submitted to Dibner Foundation.

6. Wiesman, Z. (1999). Development of foliar spray of monopotassium phosphate in olive. Annual submitted report to Rotem Amfert Negev.

7. Wiesman, Z., Markus, A. (1999). Accelerators for foliar penetration of fertilizers. Annual report submitted to Chief Scientist's, Office, Israel Ministry of Industry and Commerce.

8. Wiesman, Z. (1999). Improved management of agoforestry parkland systems in sub-Saharan Africa. Annual report submitted to INCO-DC.

9. Wiesman, Z. and Markus, A. (1999). Improvement foliar penetration of Rimon in citrus. Annual report submitted to Mahkteshim.

10. Wiesman, Z. (1999). Selection of improved Balanites aegyptica genotypes. Annual report submitted to Dibner Foundation.


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11. Wiesman, Z., DeMalach, Y. and Itzhak, D. (1999). Olive R&D in Ramat Negev. Annual report to Ramat Negev R&D.

12. Wiesman, Z., DeMalach, Y. and Itzhak, D. (1999). Olive R&D in Ramat Negev. Proc. Ramat Negev R&D Report.

13. Wiesman, Z. (2000). Optimization of a new spray formulation for mechanical harvesting of olives. Annual submitted report to Rotem Amfert Negev.


15. Wiesman, Z. (2000). Natural Products from Desert Oil Trees. Annual report submitted to Dibner Foundation.


17. Markus, A., Wiesman, Z. and Wolf, D. (2001). Control-release of insect growth regulators. Annual report submitted to Harry Stern & Helen Tzoref Funds.


19. Wiesman, Z. (2001). Natural Products from desert oil trees. Annual report submitted to Dibner Foundation.


21. Wiesman, Z., Markus, A. (2001). Improving of Adjuvant formulation for leaf penetration of agrochemicals. Annual report submitted to Chief Scientist's Office, Ministry of Industry and Commerce.

22. Wiesman, Z. (2002). Natural Products from desert oil trees. Annual report submitted to Dibner Foundation.

23. Markus, A., Wiesman, Z. and Wolf, D. (2002). Controlled-release of a natural IGR. Annual report submitted to Harry Stern & Helen Tzoref Funds.


25. Wiesman, Z. (2002). Improving of adjuvant formulation for leaf penetration of agrochemicals. Annual report submitted to Chief Scientist's Office, Ministry of Industry and Commerce.

Lectures and Presentations at Meetings 1. Wiesman, Z., Riov, J. and Epstein, E. (1986). Transport and metabolism of IAA and

IBA during rooting of cuttings. Israel Society of Botany Meeting. The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel.

2. Wiesman, Z., Riov, J. and Epstein, E. (1988). Comparison of movement and rate of metabolism of IAA and IBA in mung bean cuttings. 13th International Conference of Plant Growth Regulators Calgary, Canada.

3. Wiesman, Z., Riov, J. and Epstein, E. (1988). Control of root formation by auxin conjugates. Israel Society of Botany Meeting. Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.


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4. Wiesman, Z., Riov, J. and Epstein, E. (1992). Characterization and rooting ability of indole-3-butyric acid conjugates formed during rooting of mung bean cuttings. 3rd Glaitinburg Conference. Plant response to the environment. Tenn. University, Knoxville, U.S.A.

6. Wiesman, Z., and Lavee, S. (1993). Rooting ability of cuttings of hybrids of easy, medium and hard to root olive cultivars. The 2nd International Symposium on Olive Growing. Jerusalem, Israel.

7. Lavee, S., Wiesman, Z., Avidan, N., Ogrodovitz, A. and Many, Y. (1994).Improvement of plant material for olive orchards in Israel. FAO Inter-Regional Cooperative Research Network on Olives. Cordova, Spain.

8. Ben-Ya'acov, A., Lopez-Lopez, Barrientos-Priego, A. and Wiesman, Z. (1995).Evaluation of avocado germplasm. International Symposium on Research and Utilization of Crop Germplasm Resources. Bejing, China.

9. Wiesman, Z. (1995). Rootstock and nitrate involvement in avocado response to salinity. 3rd Avocado Congress. Tel Aviv, Israel.

10. Wiesman, Z., Zilberstein, M. and Avidan, B. (1995). Influence of paclobutrazol on development of avocado roots. 3rd Avocado Congress. Tel Aviv, Israel.

11. Markus, A., Wiesman, Z. and Wolf, D. (1997). Sustained release of hormo-fertilizers. The annual meeting of the Israeli Association of Chemical Engineering. Beer-Sheva, Israel.

12. Wiesman, Z., Lavee, S. and Avidan, N. (1997). Molecular characterization of common olive cultivars in Israel and the West Bank. Chania, Crete.

13. Wiesman, Z., Markus, A. and Wolf, D. (1998). Controlled release Hormo-Fertilizers for stimulation of rooting of cuttings. Harry Stern meeting, BGU, Israel.

14. Wiesman, Z. (1999). Basic oil analysis. Bangor University, Bangor, Wales, UK.

15. Markus, A., Wiesman, Z., Schwartz, L. Wybraniec, S. and Wolf, D. (2000) Slow-release plant growth regulators. Conference of Biotechnology, Beer-Sheva, Israel.

16. Wiesman, Z., Luber, M., Ronen, A. and Markus, A. (2001). Ferti-Vant - A new nondestructive and long-lasting in vivo delivery system for foliar nutrients. International Symposium of foliar Nutrition, Merano, Italy.

17. Wiesman, Z., Ronen, A., Ankorion Y., Novikov, V., Maranz, S. and Abramovich, Z. (2001). Effect of Olive-Nutri-Vant on Yield and quality of olives and oil. International Symposium of foliar Nutrition, Merano, Italy.

18. Chapagain, B. P., Wiesman, Z., Zaccai, M., Ronen, A., Imas, P., Magen, H., Cohen, S. and Golan R. (2001). Comparison between KNO3 and KCl (Ferti-K) as sources of K fertilizer and their effect on tomato development, yield and fruit quality. The 12th World Fertilizer Congress, China.

19. Pelah, D., Abramovich, Z., Markus, A. and Wiesman, Z. (2002). The use of commercial saponin extracts from Quillaja saponaria potential larvicides. The 2nd Workshop of the European Mosquito Control Association (EMCA), Bologna, Italy.


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20. Markus, A., Schwartz, L., Wolf, D., Wiesman, Z., Strongin, P. and Abramovich, Z. (2002). Optimal controlled-release systems for delivery of insect growth regulators. The annual meeting of the Israeli Association of Chemical Engineering. Tel Aviv, Israel.

21. Wiesman, Z. (2003). Novel control delivery system specifically engineered for foliar nutrition of plants. The 1st New AG International Conference and Exhibition. March, Barcelona, Spain.

22. Maranz, Z. and Wiesman, Z. (2003). Germplasm resources of Vitellaria paradoxa based on karité butter characteristics of regional and village populations across the species distribution range. International Workshop: Strategies for improved management of parklands in Africa. January, Burkina Faso.

Invited lectures1. Wiesman, Z. (1998). Oil trees development in semi-arid conditions. FAO, Rome, Italy.2. Wiesman, Z., Markus, A. and Wolf, D. (1998). Encapsulated controlled release

plant growth factors (PGE) promoting rooting, hardening, growth and development. Bayer AG, Mannheim, Germany.

3. Wiesman, Z. (1999). Domestication of fruit trees. International symposium of desert fruit trees, Beer-Sheva, Israel.*

4. Wiesman, Z. (2000). Summary of olive season in South of Israel. Ramat Negev, Israel.*

5. Wiesman, Z. (2000). Olive model – Domestication of fruit trees. International symposium of desert fruit trees, Beer-Sheva, Israel.*

6. Wiesman, Z., Ronen, A. and Novikov, V. (2001). Increasing olive yield by Nutri-Vant. Annual Israeli Olive Growers, Givat Ada, Israel.*

7. Wiesman, Z., Ronen, A. and Ben Dom, N. (2002). Characterization of Israeli olive oil. Annual Israeli Olive Growers, Givat Ada, Israel.*

8. Wiesman, Z. (2002). Novel approach to control soil born pathogens. Helena Chemicals, Memphis, TN.*

9. Wiesman, Z. (2003). Controlled delivery system for biomaterials. Otto Warburg Biotechnological Center Seminar, Faculty of Agriculture, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot.*

10. Wiesman, Z.(2003). Antioxidant compounds in Israeli olive oil. Annual Israeli Olive Growers, Givat Ada, Israel.*

11. Wiesman, Z. (2003). Nano-vesicles delivering B.t.i. toxin for mosquito control. Ramat Negev – Piemonte project, Beer-Sheva, Israel.*

12. Wiesman, Z. (2003). Foliar control delivery of Nutrients. Deshanim Symposium, Arugot, Israel.*

13. Wiesman, Z. (2003). Novel strategies for mosquito control. Italian Convention for Mosquito Control, Casale Monferato, Italy.*

14. Wiesman, Z. (2003). Foliar control delivery systems of nutrients and protectants. International New Ag Conference, Barcelona, Spain.*


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15. Wiesman, Z. (2003). Saline water effect on olive oil quality. Ramat Negev Annual Olive Meeting, Ramat Negev, Israel.*

Patents1. Riov, J., Wiesman, Z., Wilzeck, M. and Epstein, E. (1990). Composition for

improving of rooting. Registered by Yissum. Israeli patent no. 094321.2. Oldentlich, A., Wiesman, Z., Gotlieb, U. and Chet, I. (1991). New inhibitory natural

products produced by biocontrol agent Trichoderma harzianum which inhibit a wide spectrum of pathogens. Registered by Yissum. Israeli patent pending.

3. Markus, A., Wiesman, Z. and Wolf, D. (1997). Encapsulated fertilizers. Registered by B.G. Technology. Israeli patent, no. 49011.

4. Wiesman, Z., Markus, A., Benzioni, A. and Mills, D. (1998). Fertilizer composition. Registered by B.G. Technology. Israeli patent, no. 125556.

5. Markus, A., Wiesman, Z. and Wolf, D. (1998). Encapsulated fertilizers. Registered by B.G. Technology. PCT patent, no. 121496.

6. Wiesman, Z. Markus, A. (1999). Fertilizer composition. Registered by B.G Technology, PCT Patent.*

7. Grinberg, S., Linder, C., Kolot, V. and Wiesman, Z. (2001). Novel submicron vesicles derivatives from naturally occurring epoxidized triglycerides. Provisional, registered by BGU.*

8. Wiesman, Z. Markus, A. (2001). Multi-layer adjuvants for controlled delivery of agro-materials into plant tissues. Israeli patent application no. 145236.*

9. Grinberg, S., Linder, C., Wiesman, Z., Heldman, E. and Kolot, V. (2002). Fatty acid derivatives useful in vesicle formation. PCT registered by BGU.*

10. Wiesman, Z. Markus, A. (2003). Multi-layer adjuvants for controlled delivery of agro-materials into plant tissues. PCT registered by Agro-Vant. *

*New – since last promotionIn preparation11. Wiesman, Z. and Frieberg, M. (2002). Forest fire retardants compositions. Registered

by DSBG.12. Wiesman, Z. and Chapagain, P. Bishnu (2003). Natural steroid-saponin delivery

bioactive system. Registered by BGU.


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Research Grants

1995 - 1997 Special three-year grant from Ministry of Agriculture "Improvement of olive growth" - Z. Wiesman (Principal Investigator) with S. Lavee (INS 220,000).

1995 - 1997 Special three-year grant from Ministry of Agriculture "Selection of avocado rootstock" - Z. Wiesman (Principal Investigator) with A. Ben Yaacov (INS 100,000).

1996 One-year grant from Rotem Amfert Negev "Analyses of foliar spray of monopotassium phosphate in olive" - Z. Wiesman (Principal Investigator) with A. Benzioni - ($10,000).

1997 - 1999 One-year Dibner Foundation Grant "Selection of improved Balanites aegyptica genotypes" - Z. Wiesman (Principal Investigator) with A. Benzioni - ($30,000).

1997 - 1998 Two-year grant from Chief Scientist, Ministry of Industry and Commerce for developing "Accelerators for Foliar Penetration of Fertilizers"

- Z. Wiesman (Principal Investigator) with A. Benzioni, D. Mills, A. Markus - ($ 400,000).

1997 & 1998 One-year grants from Harry Stern & Helen Tzoref Funds for Applied Research for "Hormo-mineral slow release compositions for promoting rooting and survival of plants" - Z. Wiesman (Principal Investigator) with A. Markus and D. Wolf ($ 20,000 per year)

1998 One-year grant from Rotem Amfert Fertilizers for "Development of foliar spray of monopotassium phosphate in olive" - Z. Wiesman (Principal Investigator) - ($ 8,000).

1998 - 2001 Four-year grant from INCO-DC "Improved management of agoforestry parkland systems in sub-Saharan Africa" - Z. Wiesman (Principal Israeli Investigator) - (€78,000).

1998 One-year grant from Makteshim "Improvement foliar penetration of Rimon in citrus" - Z. Wiesman (Principal Investigator) with A. Markus - ($ 18,000).

1999 One-year grant from Rotem Amfert Fertilizers. "Optimization of a new spray formulation for mechanical harvesting of olives" - Z. Wiesman (Principal Investigator) - ($30,000).

2000 - 2001 One-year grant from Harry Stern & Helen Tzoref Funds for Applied Research "Control-release of a natural IGR" - A. Markus (Principal Investigator) with Z. Wiesman and D. Wolf ($ 25,000).

2000 - 2004 Five year Dibner Foundation Grant "Natural Products from Desert Oil Trees" - Z. Wiesman (Principal Investigator) - ($75,000 per year).


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2000 - 2002 Three one-year grant from Agro-Vant. "Improving of Adjuvantformulation for leaf penetration of agrochemicals" – Z. Wiesman (Principal Investigator) [($60,000) in 2000 + 70,000 annually in 2001 and 2002].

2003 Three year grant from Ministry of Science. "Characterization of brassinosteroid from desert plants" – N. Amzaleg, Yeuda R&D (Principle Investigator) and Z. Wiesman – ($30,000).

2003 – 2007 Five year grant from Ramat Negev, Israel – Piemonte, Italy agreement. "Mosquito Control Project" – Z. Wiesman (Principle Investigator) – (EU 600,000 per 2003).


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Synopsis of ResearchMy general research interests lie in the study of industrial oil tree resources and commercially useful phyto-oleochemicals. The latter interest extends into the related biotechnological field of exploitation of phyto-oleochemicals in controlled-release delivery systems (CRDS). My studies therefore focus on:A. Exploitation of oil trees adapted to semiarid areas on an industrial scaleB. CRDS for industrially important biomaterials.

A. Industrial Exploitation of oil TreesMy interest in plant resources as lipid raw materials for bio-industries centers on the study of the genetic diversity and on the environmental evaluation of oil trees that are well adapted to semiarid conditions and that have industrial potential in the food, agrochemical, cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries. Emphasis is placed on the following species: Olive (Olea europaea L.), balanites (Balanites aegyptiaca L.) and shea (Vitellaria paradoxa L.). Olive and balanites are indigenous to the Middle East, while shea is native to the Sahel zone of Africa.

A1. Cultivation of sustainable olive varieties and production of high-quality olive oil from trees irrigated with saline water under desert conditions in Israel

My study of the olive tree was initiated about fifteen years ago (papers #1, 2) with a wide-ranging survey of native olive genotypes distributed throughout Israel and the West Bank (book chapter #2). The study included germplasm identification using molecular markers (papers #17, 19), vegetative propagation (papers #8, 11,13,14,27), horticultural and chemical evaluation (submitted papers #5, 6) and fingerprinting of the newly released Israeli olive variety Maalot resistance to peacock eye leaf spot disease (paper #20).

The olive tree is well adapted to semi-arid areas, and widespread establishment of new plantations is taking place in countries all over the world, including Israel [mainly in the Negev area (book chapter #2)]. The new olive plantations in the Negev, which cover an area > 2500 dunams (planned for 10,000 dunams within five years, reaching about 50% of the olive cultivation in Israel) are irrigated with saline water, the only source of water available for agriculture in this area. Although it is known that olive trees can survive when irrigated with saline water, sustainability, long-term productivity and, most importantly, the quality of the fruits and the oil have not been studied. Since the genetic characteristics of olive varieties and the response of the different varieties to environmental conditions dominate the performance of the trees and the quality of the oil, the work of my research group is devoted to examining these aspects of olive cultivation. We have established three experimental olive plots at the Ramat Negev Experimental Station (report #16). One of the plots has been planted with the Barnea and Picual varieties that are most common in the new olive plantations in Israel. The long-term effect of different concentrations of salts in the irrigation water is currently being studied in that plot (submitted papers #5, 6). In another plot at Ramat Negev, I have established a comprehensive collection of the majority of the olive varieties common in the Mediterranean countries (the main olive cultivation area of the world) and a unique uncharacterized collection of olive genotypes introduced from dry areas of Turkmenistan. This collection plot is specifically designed to facilitate the study of the response of olive genotypes to saline water irrigation in comparison with tap water


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(submitted paper #6; in preparation paper #8). Another collection plot at Beit Nir, located in the northern Negev and irrigated with tap water, is used as control for the saline water and specific environment conditions of Ramat Negev (center of the Negev).

Olive oil has been attracting significant attention of late as a source of vegetable oil implicated in reduced blood pressure, lower incidence of heart diseases, etc. The nutraceutical properties of the oil are related to its high content of unsaturated fatty acids and antioxidants. To facilitate systematic and accurate chemical oil analyses, I established at the Institutes for Applied Research, an oil analysis unit, the only one of its kind among all the research institutes in Israel. The laboratory has the approval of the Israel Olive Council. In the framework of this unit a mini-scale olive oil mill will be erected at the Ramat Negev Experimental Station, close to the olive plots. This unit is to be operated according to the standards of the International Olive Oil Council (IOOC). At present, the unit provides services to olive oil producers all over Israel (Derech Hashemen Banegev, Erez Hanegev, Mashabei Sade, Ezuz, Sede Boker, Neot Smadar, Beit Nir, Misgav, Nofit, Sede Ya'acov, Sde Nachum, and Yagur). At the initiative of the unit, an intensive effort is currently under way to establish quality standards for the wide range of olive oil types from different geographical areas of Israel, with emphasis on the oil obtained from saline-water-irrigated trees in the Negev (report #20). My research group has already characterized (by means of HPLC, LC-MS and NMR) antioxidant components of the oil, such as: alpha, beta, gama and delta -tocopherols, sterols and polyphenols in most of the common olive varieties growing in Israel (submitted papers #5, 6; in preparation papers #8). This ongoing study is planned to continue at least for the next five years. The main aim of this study is to characterize the Israeli olive oil quality by chemical means, in order to differentiate the oil of at least some main olive varieties growing in the Negev and north part of Israel from other imported olive oils.

A2. Identification and characterization of specific lipopolysaccharide (LPS) bioactive saponin compounds from Balanites aegyptiaca trees intensively cultivated in the southern Negev

My study on the balanites tree was initiated about six years ago: together with Prof. D. Pasternak, former Head of the Institute for Agriculture & Applied Biology at the Institutes for Applied Research, I carried out a survey of balanites germplasm, firstly in Israel (Arava and Jordan valley) and subsequently—with the assistance of a network—in India and Africa. The germplasm was planted in a collection plot in the southern Arava at Kibbutz Samar. The balanites plants, which are irrigated with recycled water from Eilat, are developing extremely well in comparison with plants planted in the north of the country. Horticultural evaluation of the different genotypes has revealed wide diversity of in terms of vegetative and reproductive development (reports #2, 5, 10, 15, 19). The high percentage of oil (ranging from 25 to 45 %) in the balanites almonds - together with the very early and high productivity of some genotypes - indicates the potential of balanites as an industrial-scale source of plant oil in areas of extreme drought (report #19).

A study of balanites oil revealed that it contains abundant quantities of saponin phyto-oleochemicals. These lipopolysaccharide steroids, which are natural surfactants with well-documented biological activity, are already in widespread use in an extensive


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spectrum of pharmaceutical (anti-cancer activity, adjuvant-vaccination), food (anti-fat properties) and agrochemical (antifungal activity) applications. At present, the main plant sources supplying the demand for saponins include quillaja, yucca, ginseng, and agave, but there is certainly room in industry for additional sources. Together with Dr. Markus, Head of the Institute for Chemistry & Chemical Technology of the Institutes for Applied Research, I have characterized the larvicidal activity of balanites saponins against two types of mosquito, Culex and Ades, both well-known vectors of human diseases (paper #26 book chapter #1). To finalize the chemical identification and structure determination of the specific group of saponin balanitoside isolated from balanites fruit, I initiated cooperation with Prof. Jaroszewski, Head of the Department of Medicinal Chemistry at the Royal Danish School of Pharmacy in Copenhagen, Denmark. In a joint study, we discovered and fully identified the chemical structure of the polysaccharide chains bound in positions C3 and C26 or C28 to the lipid steroid skeleton of a number of novel balanitosides (in preparation paper #2). This basic study has stimulated intensive R&D work on saponin isolated and purified from mesocarp and kernel tissues extracts of balanites in our laboratory. The fungicidal effect of balanites saponins extracted in our laboratory is being studied together with Dr. L. Tsror, Head of the Phytopathology Unit at the Gilat Research Station, ARO. Recently, I also initiated, together with Dr. Nissim Amzaleg of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Yehuda R&D, a survey of wild vegetation producing saponin compounds in desert areas. At a later stage, after collecting additional biological and chemical data, we plan to extend to the work into pharmaceutical and cosmetic aspects together with experts from these fields. The main long-term aim of this study is to accumulate the data that will justify the development of a saponin-balanitoside integrated bioindustry in the Arava desert area of Israel. Efforts such as ours are currently in the front line of R&D on natural products in many countries in Europe and America.

A3. Chemical and ethnobotanical characterization of wild shea populations, growing across the Sahel region of Africa, with special reference to shea butter, a commodity in high demand for the food and cosmetic industries

Work on the third species of oil tree, of interest to me—Vitellaria paradoxa, commonly known as shea—was started five years ago. At that time, I initiated a new research project within the Fourth Framework EU Program, which included seventeen partners from Europe and Africa (mainly from the Sahel-zone countries, where the shea tree is widely distributed). Shea butter is in high demand by food and cosmetic industries as a substitute or improver for coca butter. However, there is very little scientific information available on this commodity. As part of the EU project aimed at advancing the shea industry, the African partners in the Fourth Framework project conducted a wide-ranging survey and collection of shea nuts from Ghana, Senegal, Mali and Burkina Faso in the West Africa, through Chad and the Cameroon in Central Africa, to Uganda and the Sudan in East Africa. The collected shea nuts were air freighted to Israel to the "Shea Nut Analysis Working Group" of the project. Our oil analysis unit—in coordination with the two other members of the working group, Prof. Bianchi, Head of the Experimental Institute for Oil Technologies in Italy and the Mr. Bisgaard, Head of the R&D unit at Aahrus Oliefabrik in Denmark—completed the chemical analyses of more than 700 shea


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nut and pulp samples (submitted papers #3, 4; in preparation paper #5,6; reports #8, 14, 18, 24). These analyses provided an indication of the nutritional value of the fruit (submitted paper #3). The analyses also clearly showed the relationship between the source (region in Africa) and physical state (solid or liquid) of the shea butter. In general, the shea populations of West Africa produce a more solid product, rich in stearic acid and poor in oleic acid, which can be characterized as a butter in room temperature. The populations of East Africa produce a liquid oil with a high oleic acid content and a low stearic acid content (submitted paper #4; report #24). We have determined the composition of the shea triglyceride (SOS = stearic, oleic, stearic acids) common to all the species growing in the different areas of the Sahel zone. In addition, we have recently finalized an extensive qualitative and quantitative study of the antioxidant compounds present in shea butter. To the best of our knowledge, we are the first group to identify (by means of LC-MS) the catechin compounds (catechin, epicatechin, epigallocatechin, epichatechin gallate, and epigallocatechin gallate) (paper in preparation #5) and tocopherols present in shea butter (paper in preparation #6). These highly efficient antioxidants are thought to confer nutraceutical properties on chocolate and cosmetic products containing shea butter. On the basis of our data, industry can now choose from a wide range of sources of shea oil with different characteristics. Industry requires this information to facilitate control of the melting point of the shea oil used for foods, such as chocolates, and cosmetic products. In this context, Product Organica, a company that was made aware of our work by Mr. Mordehai Cohen, the Israeli Agricultural Attaché in Washington, has recently expressed interest in our expertise. This study has thus significantly widened both basic and applied aspects of shea R&D.

B. Controlled-Release Delivery Systems (CRDS) for Industrial BiomaterialsSix years ago, a multidisciplinary group, whose expertise covers biological, chemical and chemical engineering aspects of CRDS, was set up at the Institutes for Applied Research to conduct research on CRDS of biomaterials. R&D on the first four topics described below was conducted within the framework of this group.

B1. Adjuvant CRDS for soil-applied hormone-fertilizer formulations that stimulate root formation and development

My interest in rooting began with a study of the role of auxin metabolism in the rooting of plant cuttings. Together with Prof. Riov of the Faculty of Agriculture, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, I isolated endogenously formed indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) conjugates in mung bean cuttings and studied their ability to induce rooting. The major mung-bean IBA conjugates were indole-3-acetylaspartic acid (IBAsp) and two amide-linked high-molecular-weight conjugates, probably peptides, all of which, especially IBAsp, were active in inducing rooting (papers #3, 5). Synthetic conjugates of IBA with various amino acids showed higher rooting capability than free IBA. The amide conjugates served as a source for the slow-release delivery of active free auxin. The auxin conjugates were patented (patent #1), but, because of their relatively high cost, they were not well accepted by the nursery industry, despite approval of the concept by the scientific community.


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In a follow up of the above-described study, I investigated the interaction of auxins with growth retardants, cytokinins, and mineral nutrients in relation to the development of plant root systems (papers #4, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 18). On the basis of these studies, granular encapsulated controlled-release hormo-fertilizer formulations were prepared together with Dr. A. Markus (Institute for Chemistry & Chemical Technologies) and Prof. D. Wolf (Department of Chemical Engineering), who are members of the multidisciplinary team. These encapsulated products are particularly suitable for horticultural use: they are relatively cheap and easy to use, environmental contamination is relatively small and, most significantly, they facilitate good uptake and efficacy of the applied biomaterials (hormones, fertilizers, and/or fungicides) (papers #22, 27). Selected hormo-fertilizer formulations have been intensively and successfully tested in large-scale plant production, and they are already being used by commercial nurseries in Israel, America, Australia and New Zealand. Patents of the concept, technology and applications (patents #3, 5) have recently been registered in many countries throughout the world.

B2. Adjuvant CRDS for insect growth regulators (IGR) applied to water bodies for controlling mosquitoes

Work on CRDS by the multidisciplinary team was recently extended into the field of insect growth regulators (IGRs), a family of insecticides that interfere with the life cycle of insect larvae, but have minimal toxicity to mammals, birds and other non-insect organisms. Various companies are investing in R&D on this relatively new family of synthetic organic compounds as substitutes for currently available insecticides, which include organophosphorus compounds, carbamates, thiocarbamates and others that are highly toxic to many organisms. In our studies, successful CRDS for insecticides have been designed that are programmed to the life cycle of the target insects. The development of the CRDS was facilitated through a general strategy of that brought a number of critical elements together, i.e., the use of different types of IGRs; mathematical modeling; and statistical design of the experiments, including an optimization technique. The CRDS were prepared on the basis of the specific properties of the IGRs (melting point, solubility, flash point), and the polymer characteristics (molecular weight, chemical functionality, degradability, melting point). As methods for the investigation of the CRDS, chemical analyses, biological efficacy and statistical (mathematical) testing were used (paper #21; in preparation paper #3,4). Among the formulations that have recently been developed are a new granular CRDS formulations of the two industrial biomaterials cyromazin and periproxifen used to control mosquitoes (Culex pipiens) via application to water bodies (paper #21).

B3. Adjuvant CRDS based on lipopolysaccharide formulations for long-lasting foliar delivery of agromaterials through the plant cuticle membrane

One of the most important accomplishments in the R&D on CRDS has been the development and of novel multilayer lipopolysaccharide adjuvant formulation, known as FertiVant, for the controlled penetration of fertilizers, growth substances and protecting agents through the cuticle membrane ("plant skin") of foliage. The productivity of alternate-bearing crops (such as olive, citrus, and some subtropical crops) and fruit


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quality are two important yield parameters that should be maximized, particularly under drought conditions (papers# 23, 24). Foliar fertilization is a recognized way of improving crop yields (paper #16), but plants growing in dry conditions exhibit restricted uptake of foliar-applied fertilizers. The high evaporation rate prevailing under these conditions causes rapid drying of the spray solution and accumulation of a dry film of fertilizers on leaf surfaces. This film prevents further penetration of fertilizers and can even be phytotoxic. It is generally accepted that the thickness and chemical composition of the epicuticular wax layer covering the cuticular membrane is the main barrier to foliar penetration of chemicals.

Together with Prof. Schonherr of the University of Hanover, Germany, and Prof. Bianchi, Head of the Istituto Sperimentale di Elaiotecnica in Pescara, Italy, I have been studying the chemical composition, physical properties and morphological structure of the leaf wax of olive and citrus (paper #23; reports #3,7,13,21; in preparation paper #9). Five years ago, I set up - together with colleagues at the Institutes for Applied Research - a new biotechnology start-up company, known as AgroVant Ltd., in the Ofakim Technologies Incubator. AgroVant has a royalties contract with BG Negev Technologies and has received significant support from BGU. At the end of 1999, Rotem Amfert Negev, a company of the Israel Chemicals (ICL) group, joined AgroVant as a strategic partner. Since that time, the company has been located in Ofir Park of Beer-Sheva. Today, the company produces novel CRDS adjuvant formulations to improve penetration and efficacy of foliar fertilizers. The basic R&D work and services to AgroVant are carried out at the laboratories of the Institute for Applied Research by myself and Dr. Markus. The concept and an application of the accelerating adjuvant formulation for foliar penetration through cuticle membranes were recently patented (patents # 4, 6, 8).

B4. A range of foliar CRDS coated plant nutrients and protective products

On the basis of the FertiVant CRDS and of a newly developed advanced chemical engineering coating technology, we have produced a range of unique products that have been successfully tested on a large-scale in Europe, Australia, America and Asia. The three lines of products that were developed are already well known on the world market. One product line, known as NutriVant, is specifically designed to deliver nutrients through the foliage; the line includes Starter Olive-NutriVant, Booster Olive-NutriVant and Citrus-NutriVant (papers #23, 24; Hebrew papers #13,14). The second product line, HarvestVant, is intended to improve mechanical harvesting of crops such as olives, citrus, cotton and coffee beans. The products contain a unique combination of salts and a hormone- producing agent (in a significantly reduced concentration) and are coated with a specially engineered FertiVant CRDS adjuvant. The efficacy of HarvestVant has been tested on a large-scale in olive plantations in Turkey, Australia, Italy and mainly in Spain in cooperation with Prof. Barranco of the University of Cordoba (reports #13,21,25). The effectiveness of HarvestVant was recently officially recognized by the regulation authorities in Spain and is currently in the final stages of registration in the EU. The third product line, NutriVant Peak, represents a new multipurpose concept of an environmentally friendly coated nutrient/salt mixture designed to protect plants against a number of fungal diseases. The advantage of this using non-toxic salt combination is that


25

it reduces the need for conventional fungicides (submitted papers #1; reports #21,25). This product was developed in cooperation with the R&D unit of NutriSi, a European company, and it has already been successfully accepted by the European market.Pilot runs of more than 300 tons of the above-described product lines have been marketed throughout the world. Based on the performance of these products, three leading fertilizers producers (Norsk Hydro, SQM, NU3 and Kemira) are interested in applying our technology to advance their own products.

Another product line that is in the final stages of R&D in my laboratory is FireVant. This product is designed to retard forest fires. This project is being conducted as a joint venture with the Dead Sea Bromine Group (DSBG), which produces the fire-retarding salts. Using our biological/chemical/engineering technology, we have developed together with Dr. Frieberg, Head of an R&D unit at DSBG, an efficient CRDS formulation that acts as a fire retardant for trees and may even be applied as a long-lasting preventive treatment (patents #10; reports #21, 25). Last year, this novel product was approved by the USDA Forest Service Fire Retardants Laboratory in Montana as meeting the American standards (report #25). The USDAFS is currently working together with us on the optimization of the novel forest fire prevention application.

While working on nutrients, we also made a significant contribution to the fertilizers industry in Israel by showing the advantage of using potassium chloride as a source of potassium in fertigation solutions for vegetables. Our studies clearly showed that low-cost KC1 can safely replace expensive KNO3 and even improve some quality parameters of fruits, while reducing environmental contamination with nitrates (paper #25). On the basis of our findings and in the light of economic considerations, Dead Sea Works has recently launched a new product Ferti-K, which is currently being intensively promoted in world markets.

B5. Novel nanometer delivery systems based on amphiphilic derivatives of vernonia oil, for delivery of high added value biomaterials, such as nucleic acids toxins & pesticides

Another working group of which I am a member deals with the development of unique nano-sized vesicles that are designed to encapsulate valuable biomaterials and transport them in intact through biological membranes to target sites. This project is being conducted in collaboration with Dr. Grinberg and Dr. Linder of the Institute of Chemistry & Chemical Technology, and Prof. Heldman of the School of Health Sciences, BGU. Vernonia oil derivates synthesized by Dr. Grinberg and Dr. Linder have been supplied to my laboratory for vesicle production, characterization and biological testing. Using the sonication and nano-extrusion liposome-producing techniques available in our laboratory, we produced nanovesicles that encapsulated DNA and other biomaterials, as shown clearly by radiolabelling methods, electron microscopy (TEM, SEM) and confocal and AFM systems. The stability of our novel nanovesicles was found to be superior to that of currently available phosphatidylcholine liposomes (in preparation paper #1). The application potential of these nanovesicles covers a wide spectrum of products for cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and in-vivo transformation in plants. The novel technology and application of our nanovesicles has been patented (patents #7, 9). In the future, these


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nanovesicles can be targeted by binding specific antibodies for different cells and tissues to deliver valuable and/or toxic biomaterials such as proteins, nucleic acids, drugs or pesticides such as Bti toxin. Applied Outcomes of the Above-Described Studies

The applied outcome of my studies include:

1.Olive oil The studies on the olive have made a unique contribution to the establishment of a saline-irrigated olive oil industry in the Israeli Negev . The main producers in this area have gained directly from this contribution. Our studies have also added important basic chemical information related to Israeli olive oil quality. These data directly increase the chance of the local oil to compete with imported cheap olive oil. Netafim company recently entered to the international olive industry market and initiated a collaboration with us in order to use our expertise in this field in their worldwide activities.

2.Balanites saponinsThe identification of new bioactive saponin compounds may assist in opening up a new source of biomaterials in high demand by the pharmaceutical and agrochemical industries. These biomaterials may be extracted from Balanites aegyptiaca, a species that is being successfully cultivated by us in the Israeli Arava area. Our studies in this field have led to collaboration with the internationally known saponin producer, Natural Response S.A and an Israeli animal additive producer, Kofolk. Recently, an Israeli company, AgriNevet, investing in Agro-Biotechnological initiatives started an evaluation process of initiating together with B.G. Negev Technologies and our Lab. a new start-up company based on our findings in the Balanites saponins field.

3. Shea butterOur studies have made a direct contribution to the expanding shea butter industry in Africa, which supplies the commodity to the international food and cosmetic industries. Our contribution in this field lead to collaboration with the world's second-largest producer of butters for chocolate industry, Aarhus OlieFabrik, and with Product Organica, a company active in the cosmetics industry.

4. Controlled-release systemsThe work in the field of control release delivery systems (CRDS) resulted in the establishment of a new biotechnological company known as AgroVant Ltd. The Company produces adjuvant CRDS developed by us as well as a number of product lines developed in collaboration with the Israeli fertilizers industry, i.e., the ICL companies Rotem Amfert Negev, DSBG, FCC and DSW. This research has led, on the one hand, to the industrial production of a number of product lines approved and marketed all over the world and, on the other hand, to the accumulation of basic information in the field of CRDS applications in plants.


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Documents

CURRICULUM VITAE AND LIST OF PUBLICATIONS · Web viewAnnual report submitted to Chief Scientist's, Office, Israel Ministry of Industry and Commerce. 8. Wiesman, Z. (1999). Improved