The present work deals with the synthesis and the study of physico-chemical and catalytic properties of a series of lanthanum manganite perovskite-type oxide using the one-step combustion method. Glycine was used as complexing agent and fuel. Seven glycine-to-nitrate ratios from 0.32 to 0.8 were investigated. XRD patterns show a single phase perovskite type oxide when glycine-to-nitrate ratio is above 0.37. Glycine/nitrate ratio affects significantly the surface areas, which range in 18-37 m(2)/g. The use of fuel-rich precursor allows an enhancement of the specific surface area, the reducibility of manganese and the mobility of desorbed oxygen. The light-off temperature for 50% and 90% of methane conversion was found to be directly related to surface areas. The highest catalytic activity was obtained for glycine-to-nitrate ratio of 0.8, which exhibits the highest superficial concentration of manganese and the highest amount of active oxygen. This catalyst shows also a good thermal stability. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.