Mycobacterium is a microorganism belonging to the order Antinomycetales and the family
Mycobacteriaceae. This type of bacteria is pathogenic where the infection caused to the host
cell through the surface of the water where it lives, will suffer a very serious disease. Its
characteristics include being a Gram-positive, catalase-positive, non-motile bacterium, an
aerobic organism (meaning that in order to survive, the organism requires oxygen), a bacillus
body form, and not forming spores. This discovery was first found in Mycobacterium
tuberculosis and Mycobacterium leprae by means of 16s rRNA sequences as phylogenetic
markers, although at that time there was still limited knowledge.
Based on the structure of its body, the wall of this bacterium consists of 4 layers that distinguish
it from other Gram-positive bacteria and is the thickest bacterial wall layer. These layers are
hydrophobic fatty acids and peptidoglycan layers that are held together by polysaccharides and
arabinogalactans. The chemical structure of fatty acids known as mycolic acids in the bacterial
wall can survive acidic and alkaline environments, and make these bacteria hydrophobic where
these bacteria tend to grow in aggregates that float on the surface of liquid media.
Mycobacteria can be classified by Runyon which was introduced by Ernest Runyon in 1959
based on pigmentation and growth conditions. In determining pigmentation, it is based on the
determination of the ability of mycobacteria to produce yellow pigment production in the dark
or light. The following is Runyon's classification
