Evaluation of phenolic composition and antioxidant properties of different varieties of Chinese citrus

•A robust HPLC method able to simultaneously analyze 22 phenolic compounds.•Phenolic compound compositions differed significantly in citrus species.•Mandarin: the most total phenols and flavonoids; kumquat: the most phenolic acid.•Positive correlation between compound composition and antioxidant property.•Genetic background plays a role in determining citrus peel compound composition.