Catalyzes the hydration of cyanide to formamide. Degradation of cyanide may be important for plant pathogenic fungi in infection of cyanogenic plants (By similarity) (PubMed:26521240). Can also transform some nitriles like 2-cyanopyridine and fumaronitrile and has a minor activity with 4-cyanophenyl acetonitrile (4-CPA) (PubMed:26521240). formamide = H2O + hydrogen cyanide Oligomer of dimers, forming left-handed helical fibers. By cyanide. Belongs to the carbon-nitrogen hydrolase superfamily. Nitrilase family.