“…In the straight-flush mode, the mobile phase flows in the same direction as in the purge step [93], while in the back-flush mode, the mobile phase flows in the opposite direction to the purge step [91][92][93]95]. In practice, the back-flush mode is more often chosen because, in this configuration, the endogenous components absorbed at the beginning of the purification column are directed to the waste, thus minimizing the matrix effect, and highly retained analytes are easily transferred to the analytical column in the elution step [96]. In addition, as an alternative to the column-switching approach, there are also several fully automated on-line SPE devices on the market, such as the ASPEC XL (Gilson, Middleton, WI, USA) used by the team of O. V. Olesen (2001), which in this instance allowed direct connection to the HPLC-UV system [102].…”