Sorbitan polyoxyethylene monooleate (Tween 80) suppressed bacteriocin cell adhesion. Within the range 0-1% (v/v), there was an increase in bacteriocin production in regulated (pH 5.5 or 6.0) batch cultures with increasing Tween 80 concentration. For example, at pH 5.5 and in the presence of 1% Tween 80, bacteriocin production was about fourfold higher than in its absence. However, further increase in Tween 80 concentration did not result in a significant modification of the bacteriocin titre. It was shown that the increase was not linked to an activating effect of the surfactant on preformed enzyme, to an increase of bacteriocin availability or to a sensitization of the target cell, demonstrating that Tween 80 promoted bacteriocin production.