Effects of ethylene and 1-MCP on quality maintenance of fresh cut celery

•Quality maintenance of ethylene or 1-MCP treated celery petioles was tested.•Ethylene increased respiration, deterioration chlorophyll loss and yellowing.•Instead, ethylene had no impact on PPO activity, phenolics sugars and acids.•1-MCP treated samples showed lower yeasts counts and received higher sensory scores.•1-MCP may be useful to extend the shelf life of fresh-cut self-blanching celery.