Poly(ε-caprolactone), an aliphatic polyester with biodegradability and cytocompatibility, has been used to create scaffolds for tissue engineering purposes. However, the hydrophobicity and low water absorptivity of poly(ε-caprolactone) reduce cell anchorage on their membranes. Here, poly(ε-caprolactone)-based scaffolds were prepared by electrospinning of poly(ε-caprolactone)-chitosan blend, and poly(ε-caprolactone)-dexamethasone solution. Chitosan and dexamethasone play an essential role to increase the scaffolding performance of poly(ε-caprolactone)-based electrospun membranes. A poly(ε-caprolactone) membrane without chitosan and dexamethasone did not provide satisfactory results to promote cell culture of adipose mesenchymal stem cells (AMSCs). Compared to the poly(ε-caprolactone)-dexamethasone surface, poly(ε-caprolactone)-chitosan membrane imparts better cytoskeletal reorganization, and cell spreading, increasing the strength of cell attachment. Also, poly(ε-caprolactone)-chitosan composite provides strong antimicrobial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ca. 90% inhibition). Therefore, the poly(ε-caprolactone)-chitosan composite is a better alternative to treat skin diseases and promote skin regeneration than conventional approaches based on dexamethasone.

The Mehlich-1 extractor is routinely used to evaluate the bioavailability of metals in soil since it has a high closeness between the amount of these elements absorbed by the plants and those available in soil, as well as being simple and practical to use. Thus, the aim of this work was to improve (optimize) a Mehlich-1 extraction method for evaluating the availability of Cu, Zn, Mn, Ni, Cr and Cd in soil using Box-Behnken type response surface method (RSM). After optimizing the soil amount, Mehlich-1 extractor volume and stirring time, the validation of the newly developed method was performed by evaluating the following parameters: matrix adjustment, linearity, linear range, limits of detection (LOD) and of quantification (LOQ), precision and accuracy. The analytical method proposed by this study can be routinely employed for the evaluation of soil toxicity since it presented advantages such as simplicity, speed and efficacy, as well as being precise and accurate.