A new simplified route to prepare nanocrystalline alumina powders is proposed. The method involved the use of freshly extracted egg white (ovalbumin) and aluminum nitrate in an aqueous medium. Changes in ionic strength upon addition of aluminum nitrate resulted in gelation of ovalbumin. The added metal ions were dispersed in the gelled ovalbumin matrix. Heat treatment of the gelled mass resulted in nanosized gamma alumina at as low a temperature as 330 degrees C. TEM analysis showed that the particle size ranged from 15 to 80 nm.