A combined fermentation and ethanol-assisted liquefaction process to produce biofuel from Nannochloropsis sp.

•First reported work on ethanol-assisted liquefaction of fermented wet microalgae slurry.•Combined acid pretreatment and fermentation enhanced the property of microalgae feedstock.•Fermentation prior to ethanol-assisted liquefaction increased the biodiesel yield.•Drying has an adverse effect on the downstream processing of microalgae.•Fermentation can provide partial solvent for subsequent ethanol-assisted liquefaction.