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Article

Mineral Element Profile in African Penguin (Spheniscus demersus) Feathers and Its Possible Relationship with Molting

by
Laura Favilli
1,*,
Valentina Isaja
2,
Paolo Inaudi
1,*,
Agnese Giacomino
1,
Mery Malandrino
3,
Stefano Bertinetti
3,
Egle Trincas
4,
Hatice Cansu Sezer
1 and
Ornella Abollino
1
1
Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Torino, Via Pietro Giuria 9, 10125 Turin, Italy
2
Fondazione Zoom, 10060 Cumiana, Italy
3
Department of Chemistry, University of Torino, Via Pietro Giuria 7, 10125 Turin, Italy
4
Zoom Torino, 10060 Cumiana, Italy
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Analytica 2026, 7(1), 11; https://doi.org/10.3390/analytica7010011
Submission received: 11 December 2025 / Revised: 13 January 2026 / Accepted: 26 January 2026 / Published: 27 January 2026
Versions Notes

Abstract

Molting is an important biological and physiological stage in penguins, influenced by environmental and nutritional factors. Feather composition analysis before and after molting can consequently place boundaries on element bioaccumulation and excretion. We quantified and compared elemental concentrations in African penguin (Spheniscus demersus) feathers collected pre- and post-molt across three zoos to evaluate how molt stage and zoo-specific conditions influence feather elemental composition. Feathers were retrieved from individual penguins at Zoom Torino (Italy), Overloon ZooParc (Netherlands), and Zoo Magdeburg (Germany). Quantification of elemental concentrations were performed by analytical methods, with both ICP-OES and HR-ICP-MS techniques. A statistical approach involving MANOVA and factorial analysis helped identify important trends. Pre-molt features had more variability than post-molt, with both showing significant differences in elemental concentrations. Factorial analysis showed geogenic trends in Mg, Sr, and Ni trends as well as anthropogenic trends in Pb. While Na and K differed among all treatment groups, this likely points to physiological adaptations in response to increased demand during feather regrowth. Additionally, inter-zoo comparisons highlighted distinct elemental profiles linked to local environmental and dietary conditions, particularly in Zoo Magdeburg, where Na levels were markedly elevated. This study highlights the influence of environmental and dietary conditions on feather composition during molt, offering insights for improving captive penguin welfare and broader ecological implications related to climate change and pollution.
Keywords: penguins; molting; feathers; ICP-OES; HR-ICP-MS; environmental monitoring; chemometrics penguins; molting; feathers; ICP-OES; HR-ICP-MS; environmental monitoring; chemometrics

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MDPI and ACS Style

Favilli, L.; Isaja, V.; Inaudi, P.; Giacomino, A.; Malandrino, M.; Bertinetti, S.; Trincas, E.; Sezer, H.C.; Abollino, O. Mineral Element Profile in African Penguin (Spheniscus demersus) Feathers and Its Possible Relationship with Molting. Analytica 2026, 7, 11. https://doi.org/10.3390/analytica7010011

AMA Style

Favilli L, Isaja V, Inaudi P, Giacomino A, Malandrino M, Bertinetti S, Trincas E, Sezer HC, Abollino O. Mineral Element Profile in African Penguin (Spheniscus demersus) Feathers and Its Possible Relationship with Molting. Analytica. 2026; 7(1):11. https://doi.org/10.3390/analytica7010011

Chicago/Turabian Style

Favilli, Laura, Valentina Isaja, Paolo Inaudi, Agnese Giacomino, Mery Malandrino, Stefano Bertinetti, Egle Trincas, Hatice Cansu Sezer, and Ornella Abollino. 2026. "Mineral Element Profile in African Penguin (Spheniscus demersus) Feathers and Its Possible Relationship with Molting" Analytica 7, no. 1: 11. https://doi.org/10.3390/analytica7010011

APA Style

Favilli, L., Isaja, V., Inaudi, P., Giacomino, A., Malandrino, M., Bertinetti, S., Trincas, E., Sezer, H. C., & Abollino, O. (2026). Mineral Element Profile in African Penguin (Spheniscus demersus) Feathers and Its Possible Relationship with Molting. Analytica, 7(1), 11. https://doi.org/10.3390/analytica7010011

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