V(2)O(5), Nb(2)O(5) and Ta(2)O(5) were used as supports for gold and their activity in the oxidation of glycerol was compared with that of gold loaded on Al(2)O(3), TiO(2) and carbons. Different methods of gold loading were applied and they determined the gold particle sizes. The gold-sol method used for the modification of oxides ensured high gold dispersion and smaller Au crystallites than the deposition-precipitation one. The influence of acid-base properties of the supports on gold particle sizes and activity in oxidation of glycerol was considered. Au/Nb(2)O(5) catalyst, prepared by gold-sol method and crystalline niobia as support, was attractive for the liquid phase oxidation of glycerol showing high selectivity to glyceric acid and the ability of reuse. Its catalytic properties in this process were comparable with those noted for Au loaded on carbon. A significant difference between the amorphous and crystalline niobia used as supports of gold was established and better performance of anhydrous crystalline Nb(2)O(5) was shown. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.