A newly-developed Mg-1Ca (wt%) alloy was treated by micro-arc oxidization (MAO) in KF-silicate- (Si coating), KF-phosphate- (P coating) and KF-silicate-phosphate (SiP coating) electrolytes. The microstructure, composition and corrosion resistance of the resultant MAO coatings were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and X-ray diffractometry (XRD). Electrochemical analysis and immersion test in Hanks' solution and MU assay for in-vitro toxicity against MG63 cells were subsequently carried out. Results showed that all the three MAO coatings contributed to the improvement of corrosion resistance and cytocompatibility of substrate; however, P coating outperformed the two others due to its specific microstructure and composition. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.