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Microalgae are considered as the most promising renewable feedstock for biofuel production and biorefineries, due to their advantages of fast growth, efficient carbon dioxide fixation, not competing for arable lands and potable water, and potentially accumulating high amounts of lipids and carbohydrates. Since carbohydrates in microalgae biomass are mainly cellulose in the cell wall and starch in the plastids without lignin and low hemicelluloses contents, they can be readily converted into fermentable sugars. However, to date there are very few studies focusing on the use of microalgae-based carbohydrates for biofuel production, which requires more understanding and knowledge to support the technical feasibility of this next-generation feedstock. This review article elucidates comprehensive information on the characteristics and metabolism of main fermentable microalgal carbohydrates (e.g., starch and …