Volatile constituents and ellagic acid formation in strawberry fruits of selected cultivars

•Ellagic acid and volatile compounds are important indicators of strawberry quality formation.•Distinct differences in components and amounts of volatile compounds and EA exist in cultivars.•Nineteen aromatic components affect the cluster formation of 50 cultivars in China.•Large green fruits generally exhibit the highest EA content.•Nineteen volatile compounds exert influence on strawberry ripening aroma profiles.