The potential of microalgae biomass as a feedstock for bioethanol fermentation has been widely considered in recent years. Yet, to date, only a modest level of research has been reported in this area. In all likelihood, the generation of a sustainable, sufficient level of biomass for biofuel production will need to be undertaken in saline water, and potentially under hypersaline conditions, to circumvent reliance on fresh water. However, the processing challenges associated with the fermentation of hypersaline biomass have yet to be adequately addressed. This review examines developments thus far for producing bioethanol from microalgae, indicating alternative means by which hypersaline microalgal biomass may be utilised, and provides a framework in which the industrial potential for sourcing such biomass should be considered. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.