BoNT are highly potent poisons and are considered to be
the most toxic substances produced by living organisms
(Gill, 1982). The seven known serotypes cause muscular
paralyses by blocking the release of acetylcholine at the
neuromuscular synapses. Due to the complexity of their
toxic effect, the detection of C. botulinum neurotoxins
represents a considerable diagnostic challenge (Dorner
et al., 2013; Lindstrom and Korkeala, 2006). So far, BoNT
are the only known bacterial toxins which are protected
against environmental influences by non-toxic accompanying
proteins. Based on current knowledge, these
accompanying proteins are important for maintaining
the toxicity of BoNT in the environment and during
gastrointestinal passage. They also play an important role
in passing epithelial barriers