Influence of zinc hyperaccumulation on glucosinolates in Thlaspi caerulescens.

•  Previous investigations suggest that in species of the Brassicaceae hyperaccumulation of heavy metals might provide an ecological advantage by protecting the plants against herbivores and/or pathogens while lowering the glucosinolate content. Few analytical data on glucosinolate concentrations in hyperaccumulators are available for supporting this 'trade-off' hypothesis. •  This is the first report on the influence of zinc (Zn) hyperaccumulation on the concentrations of individual glucosinolates in Thlaspi caerulescens exposed to different Zn concentrations. •  The most abundant glucosinolate within both roots and shoots was p-hydroxybenzyl glucosinolate (sinalbin). Zn hyperaccumulation decreased sinalbin concentrations in shoots, whereas root concentrations increased with Zn accumulation. These changes in sinalbin concentrations were mainly responsible for Zn-induced alterations of total glucosinolate contents. Quantitatively less important was a Zn-induced decrease of indolylglucosinolates observed in both roots and shoots and that of 3-butenylglucosinolate found in roots. •  The results presented here support the view of a trade-off between Zn and glucosinolates in shoots but not in roots of Thlaspi caerulescens.