Current Methods for Detecting the Presence of Botulinum Neurotoxins in Food and Other Biological Samples

Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) are some of the most lethal human bacterial toxins and the causative agent of botulism (Arnon et al., 2001; Simpson, 2004). The usual routes of intoxication for BoNTs are oral ingestion of clostridial spores or pre-formed toxin, manifested as infant, foodborne and adult onset botulism. An increasingly common route of intoxication is associated with intravenous drug use resulting in wound botulism. BoNTs are also classified as Select Agents and have been used as agents of bioterrorism (Arnon et al., 2001; Bigalke and Rummel, 2005). Potential methods for toxin exposure include intentional contamination of the food and drink supply, or by aerosol spread, leading to inhalational botulism.