Cell Wall Composition:

Includes a high concentration of mycolic acids, long-chain fatty acids that contribute to the acid-fastness of the cell wall.

The presence of mycolic acids in the cell wall makes these bacteria resistant to the decolorization step during staining procedures

Staining Techniques:

Staining involves the use of carbolfuchsin, which is a red dye, and a strong decolorizing agent such as acid-alcohol.

Acid-fast bacteria retain the red stain even after decolorization, while non-acid-fast bacteria lose the stain

Examples of Acid-Fast Bacteria:

The most well-known group of acid-fast bacteria belongs to the genus Mycobacterium

Review: Bacterial Morphology and Growth (Pathology)