lineItems load from database C#

[steve2301]

I am trying to load info from a database into "lineItems". Like :

                        lineItems[intLoop] = new lineItemType
                        {
                            itemId = "1",
                            name =  strItem,
                            quantity = intQty,
                            unitPrice = decPrice
                        };

If I set 

strItem="Another test description";

before the lineItems, it WORKS.

Reading a value from the database with spaces in the name,

I put that into a variable string, a few examples

                    strItem = String.Format("\"{0}\"", str5_Item);

var response = controller.GetApiResponse();

I get a 

response is null .

However if I read from database a field with no spaces, it all WORKS.

If the strItem above has spaces in it, I get a response is null.

Suggestions on how to read a column data with SPACES in the field and put that value into 

the "NAME" listed above?

TIA

Steve2301