Steam reforming of acetone, as representative molecule of bio-oil, was investigated over different Ni-Mg-Al oxides with different Ni-environments which were obtained by the preparation of different Ni-Mg-Al materials: Ni-supported, Ni-mixed oxides and Ni like-spinel structures. Physico-chemical characterization of samples showed different Ni-support interactions depending on the nature of the support and the method of preparation. Ni-incorporation into the Mg-Al structure increases its stability. Reforming activity results showed that the Ni-environment interaction plays an essential role on the catalytic behaviour of Ni-Mg-Al catalysts. The sequence of gasification capacity over Ni-Mg-Al samples points out that acidity of supports participates in the acetone reforming mechanism over these catalysts. Copyright (C) 2015, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.