Java EE (Java Enterprise Edition) General Discussion

I am using mysql for the database and jsp for the front end.
The user has the ability to edit html source code using a simple text area. The source code is then saved in the database. The problem arises when the user tries to update an exisiting record. All the " " in the source code become spaces in the text area. (however all the other html tags remain intact) and on update ,the database is unable to understand this space or whatever character it becomes and stores "?" instead.
Is there some way I can check for this space and change it back to nbsp before updating the record

Any help will be appreciated
Thanks