A Lactococcus lactis subs lactis strain was selected from 20 lactic acid strains isolated from the leaves of sugar cane plants, variety CC 85-92. The effects of substrate concentration and pH control on lactic acid (LA) production, glucose conversion (GC) and yield (Y_p/s) were investigated using this strain. In batch fermentation at 32ºC, with 60 gl^-1 of glucose and a pH of 6.0, concentrations of up to 35 gl^-1 of lactic acid were obtained. Maximum production and glucose conversion was achieved at low glucose concentrations. The strain shows great potential for lactic acid production from glucose, even without using pH control during fermentation (13.7 gl^-1).