Background/purpose To investigate the effect of nanosilver particles in solution stabilized in a matrix of sodium alginate on the growth and development of pathogenic bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Proteus vulgaris, Enterobacter cloacae, the antibiotic-resistant strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the yeast-like fungus Candida albicans, and the luminescent bacteria Photobacterium leiognathi Sh1. Methods Isolates of pathogenic bacteria obtained from bronchoalveolar and peritoneal lavage samples from Wistar rats with experimental pneumonia and peritonitis were tested for their susceptibility to silver nanoparticles in solution with an alginate stabilizer. The antifungal activity of silver nanoparticles in sodium alginate was studied for C. albicans (strain CCM885) using the Sabouraud agar method. The biocidal impact of silver nanoparticles in solution with a sodium alginate matrix on the luminescent bacteria P. leiognathi Sh1 was investigated using a BLM 8801 luminometer. Results It was observed that a 0.02-0.05% nanosilver solution with an alginate stabilizer limits the growth and development of pathogenic bacteria within the first 24 hours of exposure. If the concentration of nanosilver solution is 0.0005-0.05%, it inhibits the viability of the fungus C. albicans. A nanosilver solution at a concentration of 0.05-0.2 μg/mL represses bioluminescence in the bacteria P. leiognathi Sh1. From these results, it appears that the biocidal effect of nanosilver is related either to the presence of ions that are formed during dissolution, or to the availability of nanoparticles that interrupt the membrane permeability of bacterial cells. Conclusion Silver nanoparticles stabilized in a solution of sodium alginate possess significant in vitro antimicrobial activity, which is manifested by inhibition of the bioluminescence of P. leiognathi Sh1, and inhibition of the growth and development of the pathogenic bacteria S. aureus, E. faecalis, E. coli, P. vulgaris, E. cloacae, the antibiotic-resistant strain of P. aeruginosa, and the fungus C. albicans.