Formulation design, production and characterisation of solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) and nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) for the encapsulation of a model hydrophobic active

•Lipid materials were chosen based on theoretical and experimental lipid screening.•SLNs and NLCs with high curcumin loading were produced using the selected lipids.•Nano-sized lipid particles fabricated by tuning the processing parameters.•Lipid matrix component compatibility affects thermal properties as shown by DSC.•Formation of distinct lipid structures in liquid lipid concentration-dependent manner.