La1-xSrxMO3-delta (M = Co, Mn; x = 0, 0.4) catalysts have been fabricated via a strategy of citric acid complexing and hydrothermal treatment. The oxidation of toluene was used as a probe reaction for the evaluation of catalytic performance. The materials were characterized by a number of techniques. We observed that the catalytic activity (evaluated by the temperature required for 80% conversion Of toluene, T-80%) increased in the sequence of LaMnO3.10 (T-80% = 295 degrees C) < LaCoO2.89 (T-80% = 246 degrees C) < La0.6Sr0.4MnO3.03 (T-80% = 233 degrees C) < La0.6Sr0.4CoO2.76 (T-80% = 219 degrees C) at toluene/O-2 molar ratio = 1/400 and space velocity = 20 000 h(-1). Moreover, CO2 and H2O were the only products for toluene oxidation over the catalysts. It is concluded that factors such as enriched structural defects (oxygen vacancies) and good Mn4+/Mn3+ or Co3+/Co2+ redox ability are responsible for the excellent catalytic performance of the La1-xSrxMO3-delta nanomaterials.