where() showing "IS NULL" instead of variable value

Did you use this to see what is going on?

PHP Code:

$temp = $this->db->last_query(); 


Also is there suppose to be a space after the opening quote before email?

PHP Code:

//                                           | space?
$this->db->select('*')->from('user')->where(' email',$email)->where('password',$pass)-> get()->result(); 


returns 'select * from user where email IS NULL and password IS NULL';