Global technological trends in sustainable antimicrobial surface formulations: a patent-based review for cleaner healthcare environments

Introduction Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are a global challenge, exacerbated by multidrug-resistant pathogens. This study systematically maps antimicrobial surface formulations (1995–2024), analyzing gaps in regulatory readiness, toxicological validation, and sustainability.Areas covered Using the Espacenet database and PRISMA guidelines, 49 patents were analyzed. Innovation surged post-2015, led by private corporations (72.09%) in the USA, Canada, and China (67.35%). Synthetic actives, primarily quaternary ammonium compounds, dominated (71.43%), while natural (16.33%) and hybrid (10.20%) approaches were less frequent. Key targets included S. aureus, K. pneumoniae, and E. coli. Although 38.77% of patents claimed sustainability (biodegradability/low toxicity), only 40.82% disclosed mechanisms of action, and 34.69% provided toxicological data.Expert opinion A significant gap exists between technological innovation and regulatory/safety validation. Future developments must integrate life-cycle assessments and robust toxicological testing. Harmonized regulatory pathways and public–private partnerships are essential to translate these innovations into scalable, sustainable, and safer disinfectant solutions for healthcare environments.