Bagasse conversion to H-2, CO and light gaseous hydrocarbons was performed in a batch micro reactor under 850 degrees C and atmospheric pressure in the presence of unpromoted and ruthenium promoted Ni-Fe/gamma-Al2O3 nano catalysts. The nano catalysts were prepared with 12 wt.% Ni, 6 wt.% Fe and 0.5 to 2 wt.% Ru loadings via microemulsion technique. The catalysts were extensively characterized using ICP, XRD, TPR, BET, TEM and H-2 chernisorption techniques. XRD patterns confirmed formation of Ni Fe alloys on the catalysts. Ruthenium increased dispersion of active metal clusters by 44.6% and consequently improved the reducibility of the catalysts. The addition of 1 wt.% Ru increased the total gas yield, the yield of hydrogen, the yield of carbon monoxide and the carbon conversion efficiency by 34.2%, 35.9%, 33.54% and 44% respectively. (C) 2016 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.