Abstract: An inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) analytical method for determining the contents of 32 metallic elements, assessing their inter-element correlations, and evaluating contamination levels in Curcuma phaeocaulis was established, thereby providing a reference basis for the regulatory oversight of heavy metal elements in traditional Chinese medicinal materials. The samples were pre-treated using the microwave digestion method, and the contents of 32 metallic elements in Curcuma phaeocaulis were determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS); simultaneously, SPSS statistical software was employed to perform principal component analysis and correlation analysis on the results, and to evaluate the degree of metal contamination. The results showed that there were strong linear relationships among the 32 elements, with correlation coefficients r²>0.994, detection limits ranging from 0.000 1 mg/kg to 1.195 9 mg/kg, addition recovery rates ranging from 97.15% to 108.24%, and RSD values ranging from 1.61% to 10.72%. The correlation analysis results indicated that most of the elements exhibited highly significant positive correlations with one another. Principal component analysis indicated that the trace elements Fe, Ge, Mn, Cu, Zn, and Hg were characteristic elements of Curcuma phaeocaulis and could be utilized for quality control. According to the heavy metal pollution assessment using the Cd contamination index, 2/3 of the samples exhibited mild or more severe pollution, indicating that Cd was the primary contributing element to heavy metal pollution in this region.

Key words: Curcuma phaeocaulis, inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), element content, correlation analysis, heavy metal pollution assessment