A composition having antimicrobial activity is provided. The composition comprises a polysaccharide, a stabilizer, and a triiodide, where the triiodide decomposition to iodide and volatile iodine can be significantly suppressed by the presence of the stabilizer. Methods of preparing and using the composition and devices prepared therewith are also disclosed. As compared to liquid forms comprising triiodide, stabilized solid forms can be used for a much wider range of applications due to their shape stability and a significantly smaller volume and weight of total material.
