The paper describes synthesis of magnetite-alginate composites. The main feature of such biomaterials is the simultaneous formation of magnetite nanoparticles inside the alginate matrix. Obtained samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. In several samples the secondary phase of ammonium chloride was observed. The average crystallite sizes of magnetite phase are about 13 nm. The addition of alginate leads to the decrease of microstrains in [h k 0] direction