Figure 1. Schematic representation of the vacuum infiltration method.

Leaf discs are punched out and placed in plastic centrifuge tubes. Bacterial suspension is added to the discs and vacuum is applied. The discs are then poured into a tea strainer, washed with deionized water and transferred to Petri dishes filled with water. Fully infiltrated discs, distinguishable by their loss of buoyancy, are then transferred to 6 well cell cultivation plates and the conductivity of the bathing solution is monitored.