Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis MA23 produces a bacteriocin (6400 AU/mL) that inhibits the growth of many Gram‐positive bacteria but is not active against Gram‐negative bacteria. This bacteriocin inhibits growth of lactococcal strains that are producing nisin, lacticin or lactococcin suggesting it to be different from these bacteriocins. The nutritional requirements and optimal growth conditions for MA23 bacteriocin production were studied with fed‐batch fermentations. The optimal pH, carbon source and nitrogen source for bacteriocin production were pH 6.5, sucrose (0.5%) and yeast extract (1%), respectively.