Towards Safe and Effective Biomedical Nanocoatings: Plasma-Sputtered Magnesium-Based Nanoparticles with Cytoprotective, Antimicrobial and Antialgal Properties

The demand for antimicrobial and biocompatible materials in biomedical applications continues to grow, particularly in the context of wound care and textiles. This study explores the development of multifunctional coatings by applying magnesium (Mg) nanoparticles onto medical-grade cotton textiles using magnetron sputtering-a solvent-free and environmentally sustainable technique. A comprehensive material characterization confirmed the formation of Mg, MgO and Mg(OH)₂/MgH₂ phases, along with generally consistent particle coverage and increased fiber surface roughness. The antibacterial testing revealed the effective inhibition of both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria-except <i>Enterococcus faecalis.</i> Additionally, the growth of the fungus <i>Candida albicans</i> and the microalgae <i>Prototheca</i> spp. was reduced by over 80%. Importantly, a cytocompatibility evaluation using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) demonstrated not only non-toxicity but a significant increase in cell viability after 72 h, particularly in samples treated for 20 and 60 min, indicating a potential cytoprotective and proliferative effect. These findings highlight the dual functionality of plasma-sputtered Mg nanoparticle coatings, offering a promising strategy for the development of eco-friendly, antimicrobial and cell-supportive medical textiles.