Hypothesis: The objectives of the present study are to ascertain, particle incorporation during the initial stages of microarc oxidation (MAO), feasibility of increasing the level of particle incorporation through manipulation of process variables and, the use of MgO-ZrO2 composite coatings either as a pretreatment or as a post-treatment for MAO coated Mg. Experiments: Anodic oxide coatings were prepared using 0.3 M NaOH + 15 g/l ZrO2 and 3M NaOH + 15 g/l ZrO2 at 10 V under direct current, pulsed current (PC) unipolar and PC bipolar modes. MAO coatings were prepared using 5 g/l NaOH + 15 g/l Na2SiO3 at 250 V under direct current mode for 2 min. Findings: The study reveals that it is possible to incorporate ZrO2 particles in the anodic oxide layer, suggesting such a possibility during the initial stages of MAO. When the MgO-ZrO2 composite coating is used as a pre-treatment, it helps to reduce the size and density of the pores of the MAO coatings and increased the corrosion resistance. When it is used as a post-treatment, lamellar shaped Mg(OH)(2) with a very high surface area is formed on the surface, which would be beneficial to impart a better bioactivity and to facilitate immobilization of biomolecules. (C) 2015 Published by Elsevier Inc.