The effect of tryptone, yeast extract, Tween 80 and initial pH on the production of enterocin 1146 and lactocin D, two bacteriocins produced by lactic acid bacteria, was studied in a basal buffered medium (tryptone-yeast extract-tween, TYT) using factorial experiments and empirical modelling. Production of enterocin 1146 was affected by pH, yeast extract and Tween 80 and to a lesser degree, by the initial pH of the medium. On the basis of the predictions of the models developed, three TYT media (TYT10, TYT11 and TYT30) were designed to maximize bacteriocin production while minimizing the amount of peptides in the medium. Growth and bacteriocin production by Enterococcus faecium DPC 1146 (enterocin 1146), Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis biovar diacetylactis DPC 3286 (lactocin D) and Lact. lactis subsp. cremoris LMG2130 (lactococcin A) was compared in TYT media and seven other culture media (Elliker lactic broth, M17, M17 dialysate, MRS, tryptose phosphate, tryptone yeast extract broth, yeast glucose Lemco broth). Bacteriocin production in TYT media was comparable with that in M17 and MRS, which had a higher peptide content. TYT30 allowed good production of enterocin 1146 and lactocin D while TYT11 proved acceptable for all the strains tested.