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Zhongning wolfberry is a famous geographical indication ( GI) in China. The concentrations of twenty elements (K, Mg, Fe, Ca, Zn, Cu, Mn, Al, Sr, Rb, Mo, Tb, Cd, Co, V, As, Cs, Pr, Dy and Gd) in samples were determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The data were subjected to analysis of variance, principal component analysis and linear discriminant analysis. The results indicated that nineteen minerals (except K) represented significant differences among regions. The correct classification rates of original group and cross-validation of Zhongning wolfberry were 95.7% and 85.7%, for these nineteen variables. Furthermore, there was no significant difference for all variables in samples from three picking periods. It was feasible to distinguish Zhongning wolfberry based on mineral profiles with chemometric approaches, and the study could serve as a reference for the authentication of wolfberries and the prevention of deceptive labelling of other GI products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]