When it comes to identifying alternative feed ingredients there are many factors to consider beyond the base price. What is its nutritional value? How will it impact inclusion levels of other ingredients? Could it cause logistical complications? In this episode, I talk with Dr. Charmaine Espinosa about her study on the digestibility and nutritional value of high oil corn and the possibility to using it as an alternative to conventional corn. Could this be a viable way to implement a more nutrient dense diet? Listen to this short episode to learn more!

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Meet the guest: Charmaine Espinosa graduated from the University of the Philippines Los Baños in 2012 where she majored in Animal Science with Animal Nutrition as her specialization. She had taken basic nutrition courses and conducted experiments on “The effects of Moringa oleifera as supplemental feed for gestating-lactating sows” which served as her undergraduate thesis. At the same university, she obtained her Master’s degree in Animal Sciences majoring in Animal Nutrition with a minor in Biochemistry in 2015. During her Master’s program, she was able to conduct research about “The effect of supplementing α-galactosidase on the energy value of soybean meal and production performance of nursery pigs” through the supervision of Dr. Rommel C. Sulabo. Upon completion of her Master’s degree, Charmaine came to the University of Illinois to start her doctorate studies where she had the opportunity to conduct research about gut health, characterization of nutrients, nutrient digestibility, and effects on growth performance of different feed ingredients and additives fed to animals. In May 2019, she earned her Ph.D. with her dissertation focused on evaluating the nutritional value of copper hydroxychloride fed to pigs. In September 2019, Charmaine returned to Stein Monogastric Nutrition Laboratory as a postdoctoral research fellow.