Structural properties of H-Beta (BEA) zeolite were optimized by steam dealumination followed by acid leaching. At mild dealumination, the zeolite (BZ-2) exhibited higher values of surface area pore volume and improved acid properties. On BZ-2, 0.3 wt% of Pt was loaded by incipient wetness impregnation method (Pt/BZ-2) and used for production of branched paraffins from two industrial feedstocks. The feedstock containing heavier hydrocarbons (feed 1) could yield as high as 26 U increase in Research Octane Number (RON), against 11-13 U increase in RON observed for lighter feedstock (feed 2). The study indicated that isomerization and cracking followed by dimerization (alkylation) reactions are responsible for the production of branched paraffins. The catalyst exhibited more octane gain when tested in the presence of N-2, but the corresponding catalyst exhibited comparatively lower TOS yields and inferior intensity of XRD bands after the reaction. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.