HY zeolite (HYZ) supported ruthenium (Ru) nanoparticles catalyst (Ru/HYZ) is prepared by simple impregnation method and is characterized by using energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), CO chemisorption and inductively coupled plasma (ICP) mass spectrometry. The catalyst Ru/HYZ is evaluated in hydrogenation of D-glucose and hydrogenation experiments to produce a selective product D-sorbitol were conducted batch wise in a three-phase laboratory scale reactor. The kinetics studies of D-glucose hydrogenation using the catalyst Ru/HYZ were carried out. In the operating regime studied the rate of reaction showed first orders dependency with respect to D-glucose and hydrogen. For affording maximum D-glucose conversion, yield and selectivity to D-sorbitol, the reaction conditions were also optimized. C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.