The most relevant parameters of a multimode inlet were optimized to increase the injection volume up to
25 lL using solvent vent mode in order to improve the sensitivity of the gas chromatography–mass spectrometry system. Consequently, the implementation of a concurrent backflushing was necessary to largely prevent the expected loss of performance derived from such matrix load out of a general-purpose
extraction (EN-15622-QuEChERS). Additionally, four mixtures of compounds used as analyte protectants
were tested using spiked physalis to enhance the quality of signals. The chosen mixture remarkably
improved sensitivity and yield better peak shapes, significantly more than others also tested. The analysis
of pesticide residues in exotic fruits using instruments of limited selectivity is challenging since these
complex matrices usually give notably dirty extracts. This scheme included an instrumental optimization
and the addition of selected compounds that enabled to selectively reach limits of quantitation of
0.01 mg kg
1
for most analyte