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•The process of obtaining alginate gels containing silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) by using maltose as a non-toxic reducing agent was correct and highly efficient.•Exposure of cucumber to alginate gels with Ag-NPs did not inhibit germination but affected seedlings' growth.•Alginate gels with Ag-NPs affected cucumber seedlings' growth and biochemical composition in different ways depending on Ag-NPs concentration.•The possibility of using the tested Ag-NPs in the concentration of 10 ppm as nano agents activating stress tolerance of cucumber seedlings.

Generation of ZnS, CdS, CaS and MgS quantum dots (QDs) was attempted in the matrix of distarch phosphate, an anionic polysaccharide. Based on the analysis of FTIR spectra, thermograms and Differential Scanning Calorimetry, interactions of QDS with the matrix could be excluded. On generation of MgS QDs and also, to a certain extent, CaS QDs, hydrolysis of the salts generating these QDs took place. That process had an impact on the partial destruction of the matrix. Molecular weight and radii of gyration of the products showed that the generation of QDs was dependent on the properties of the matrix polysaccharide. The elasticity, plasticity and viscosity of the gels containing QDs were significantly lower than those of plain distarch phosphate. Generally these values changed with time similarly to gels free of QDs.