mysql_real_escape_string() expects parameter 1 to be string, array given

Code:

 foreach($q->result_array() as $row) {        
       $descs[] = mysql_real_escape_string($row);   //  Message: mysql_real_escape_string() expects parameter 1 to be string, array given

How can I apply the function to just the value or how can I make the value a string? I used to know how to do this, but have forgotten.

If I attempt to fix the problem with the quotes inside the view instead I get this error:
Message: mysql_real_escape_string() [function.mysql-real-escape-string]: Access denied for user....