Provided is a particulate sorbent composition comprising a zinc titanate support loaded with a promoter metal in a substantially reduced valence state selected from the group consisting of cobalt, nickel, iron, manganese, copper, molybdenum, tungsten, silver, tin and vanadium, or mixtures thereof , for desulfurizing a cracked gasoline or diesel fuel feed stream in a desulfurization zone by contacting said feed stream in a desulfurization zone with a particulate adsorbent composition and then subjecting the resulting low sulfur content The stream is separated from the sulfided sorbent, which is then regenerated and activated before being recycled back to the desulfurization zone.