The production of spores from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens B128 was investigated in shaker-flask cultivation. Optimization of the culture medium was carried out by using a two-step approach. A quick identification of a suitable source of carbon and nitrogen was obtained by a simple screening experiment, which was followed by an application of response surface methodology (RSM) for further optimization design. A five-level four-factor central composite design was employed to determine the maximum spore yield at optimum levels for lactose, tapioca, ammonium sulfate and peptone. Tapioca and peptone showed a significant linear main effect, while lactose and ammonium sulfate had no significant linear effect. The spore production was also significantly affected by lactose-ammonium sulfate and lactose-peptone. Optimum cultivation parameters were (g/L): 12.7 of lactose, 16.7 of tapioca, 1.8 of ammonium sulfate and 8.0 of peptone. The prediction spore yield was 5.93 x 10(8) (no/mL). The actual experimental results were in agreement with the prediction. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.