This study deals not only with the question of influence of the bioorganic molecules on magnesium alloy corrosion, but also with what physical–chemical and transport conditions lead to transformation of the same bioorganic molecule from being a catalyst of Mg corrosion to its inhibitor, from being a protective agent to become delayed corrosion factor. Literature database consisting of 67 entries has been compiled from the papers dealing with degradation of biodegradable Mg, Mg-Ca, AZ31, Mg-Zn-Zr-Y, Mg-Li-Ca, and related magnesium alloys in chlorinated saline, Hanks’ solution, simulated body fluid, phosphate buffers, protein media, enzyme media, saccharide media, microbiological immersion system, and bioorganic coating system. Each entry was characterized by the material, molecule or immersion variable, immersion media, corrosion tendency, and interface reaction mechanism. The synthesis shows that bioorganic control depends on four connected switchers: ionic background, alloy surface chemistry, transport/renewal conditions, and reaction time. While Cl-rich saline enhances Mg(OH)$_2$ dissolution, Ca-P rich media are able to transform some organic molecules into mineralization promoters. Glucose accelerates the corrosion due to gluconic acid formation and chloride accumulation in Cl-rich media, however, glucose may contribute to calcium phosphate deposition in Hanks-like solution. While proteins could act as protecting agents due to their adsorption and Ca-P stabilization at quiescent exposure, flowing media could wash out the weakly bound products leading to the opposite effect. Amino acids and vitamins generate the significant alloy-dependent effects since of competition between complexing/adsorbing, Ca-containing surface chemistry, and phosphate agglomeration mechanisms. Coupled glucose-L-cysteine chemistry and glucose-enhanced microbial metabolism reveal that delayed organic reactions may play even a more important role than the initial molecule-by-molecule one. Biologically assisted coatings take advantage of the similar chemistry using glucose, amino acids, ascorbic acid, proteins, peptides, and silk fibroin for mineral, conversion, and composite surface layer formation. Therefore, Mg corrosion testing requires implant-specific medium design rather than the universal simulated fluid approach.

biodegradable magnesium,bioorganic corrosion,physiological media,literature classification,glucose,amino acids,protein adsorption,calcium phosphate,corrosion testing