Binary vanadia-titania catalysts comprising 5-75 wt.% of V2O5 and 95-25 wt.% of TiO2, pretreated at the temperature ranging between 300 and 700 degrees C, were studied as heterogeneous catalysts for oxidation of beta-picoline at 250 degrees C, and inlet concentrations of the following components (vol.%): 1% of 3-picoline, 20% of oxygen, 30% of steam. Nicotinic acid, 3-pyridinecarbaldehyde and CO2 were the reaction products. The most active state for oxidation of 3-picoline into nicotinic acid was shown to result from formation of coherent interface between V2O5 and TiO2 (anatase) crystallites. This state was generated at the temperature particular for each composition and persists below the temperature of the anatase to rutile transition.