Glutamate-based mildly alkaline electrolyte as a green and safe alternative for zinc plating

•Glutamate was used as complexing agent to prepare a mildly alkaline Zn electrolyte.•Deposition and dissolution processes were characterized by voltametric techniques.•Two non-toxic quaternary ammonium compounds were tested as additives for Zn plating.•Smooth and adherent deposits can be obtained both with and without additives.•The proposed electrolyte is non-toxic and less aggressive than usual zincate baths.