Notable influence of the addition of different amounts of Ru to Ni/MCM-48. Ru:Ni ratios higher than 0.45 improved the catalytic behavior of Ni/MCM-48. Good stability of Ru:Ni/MCM-48 (0.45) was observed after three reaction cycles. Ru:Ni/MCM-48 enhanced selectivity of sorbitol in comparison with Ni/MCM-48.