Objective: To establish a rapid inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS) method for determing the content of 25 inorganic elements such as Be

Na

Mg

Al

K

Ca

V

Cr

Mn

Fe

Co

Ni

Cu

Zn

As and Se in Tougucao. Method: Samples were treated by microwave digestion

and 25 inorganic elements in 18 batches of samples were determined with ICP-MS method. Principal component analysis and cluster analysis were done by Mass Profiler Professional(MPP). Result: The correlation coefficient values of regression equation were over 0.999 for various elements. The method exhibited a recovery range of 91.1%-106.3%. There was great difference in content of inorganic elements in Tougucao from different origins and areas

and the elements presented regular wave type distribution with the atomic number order. The top five elements with high average content were as follows from high to low:K(19 970.00 μg · g-1)

Ca(15 709.00 μg · g-1)

Mg(3 531.50 μg · g-1)

Al(1 755.50 μg · g-1)

and Fe(1 021.00 μg · g-1). Principal component analysis results showed that Be

Na

Al

Cr

Mn

Fe

Co

Zn

As

Ba

Tl and U were the characteristic inorganic elements of Tougucao. In clustering analysis

18 batches of samples were clustered into 2 categories

Vicia cracca clustered into one category;and the other five sources of Vicia clustered into another category

indicating that V. cracca had a far genetic relationship with other five types of Vicia. Conclusion: This determination method provides a high sensitive and accurate way to simultaneously determine multiple inorganic elements and provides experimental basis for evaluation of effectiveness and safety as well as quality standard establishment of Tougucao.