BACKGROUND The utilization of vinasse as a feasible culture medium for fungi is hindered by the presence of inhibitory compounds, such as phenols and other recalcitrant structures. This work analyzes the effect of different homogeneous advanced oxidation processes (AOP) to lower the concentration of inhibitory phenolic compounds in vinasse, and to test the effects of the pre-treatment on the growth of an oleaginous fungal strain. Vinasse was treated using a batch system with the addition of ferrous ion (Fe2+) (Fenton), in the presence of UV, and with the addition of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). RESULTS All of the reaction systems were able to partially degrade the chemical oxygen demand, ranging from 18.4% up to 54.1% in the factorial results. The pre-treated vinasse samples were assayed for the growth performance of Mucor circinelloides, demonstrating that the control value of 3.54 g L-1 was increased to values as high as 4.84 g L-1, also followed by an increase of approximate to 73% in terms of lipid productivity. CONCLUSION Different AOP were tested to degrade phenolic compounds present in vinasse, demonstrating that the optimum condition (Fe2+/UV at alkaline pH) provided a culture medium for M. circinelloides that increased the biomass accumulation by approximate to 35% and the lipid productivity by >70% when compared to the control. (c) 2020 Society of Chemical Industry