During biodiesel storage, chemical reactions may occur, producing sludges. The aim of this study was to characterize the chemical and microbial composition of the sludge found in a biodiesel storage tank. The material was collected in a biodiesel production plant. The sludge chemical characterization was performed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, flame atomic absorption spectroscopy (FAAS), gas chromatography (GC), and the microbial investigation used culture-dependent techniques. The deteriogenic potential of the native microbial community was evaluated using the sludge as a microbial inoculum in a 60 day experiment. The microbial growth, biodiesel degradation, pH alterations, and the detection of esters in the aqueous phase were evaluated. The chemical analysis indicated the sludge composition as fatty acids esters and metallic ions; sterols glycosides were not detected. Seven bacteria and five fungi species were obtained from the sludge. The microbial growth analysis indicated that the native community does not have high biodiesel deteriogenic capacity.

HLA-G is a non-classical HLA (Human Leukocyte Antigen) molecule characterized by limited tissue distribution under normal physiological conditions and low variability at both DNA and protein levels. Several studies suggest that HLA-G could play a role, as an immunoregulatory molecule, in situations as diverse as transplantation, cancer, viral infections and inflammatory diseases. A total of 237 individuals from 21 South American tribes speaking nine different linguistic families were studied in relation to the 14 bp insertion/deletion polymorphism at the HLA-G gene. A consistent (seven in nine) excess of heterozygosity in samples classified by language was obtained. Our data supply evidences for balancing selection acting at the HLA-G 14 bp INDEL region. Enhanced fetal survival in a pathogen-rich environment may account for these findings.