Chemical characterization and discovery of novel quality markers in Citrus aurantium L. fruit from traditional cultivation areas in China using GC–MS-based cuticular waxes analysis

•The cuticular waxes in the peel of Citrus aurantium L. fruit are mainly composed of fatty acids.•The high concentrations of linoleic acid and stearic acid are associated with Citrus aurantium L. fruits collected from geo-authentic areas.•The high presence of fatty acids is considered to contribute principally to the identification of Citrus aurantium L. fruits from different growing locations.