Zeolite-based composite materials prepared by the embedding of the beta zeolite nanophase from aqueous colloidal solution into matrices of preformed Si(Al)MCM-41 mesoporous molecular sieves have been characterized by different methods (XRD, SEM, FTIR, N-2 adsorption, and TPD of NH3). Their potential as catalysts for toluene disproportionation has been compared to mechanical mixtures of freeze-dried nanobeta crystallites with Si(AI)MCM-41 mesoporous materials. It is found that the zeolite catalyst efficiency is not substantially changed by the presence of mesopores belonging to the matrix. It is suggested that formation of intergrown aggregates from the colloidal nanobeta particles provides own highly developed textural mesoporosity that makes the contribution of the diffusional alleviation of the support negligible. © 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.