Endogenous metabolism and the stability of microbial prey–predator systems

We formulate a variant of the "double Monod model" which takes explicit account of endogenous metabolism. Using parameter values appropriate to carbohydrate-limited substrate, bacterial prey, and protozoan predator, we study the stability of steady states under chemostat conditions. We conclude that the predator's endogenous metabolism may have a stabilizing effect at low dilution rates.