Catalyzes the hydrolytic deamination of adenosine to produce inosine (PubMed:19728741). Unlike other Plasmodium adenosine deaminases, does not catalyze the deamination of 5'-methylthioadenosine (MTA) (PubMed:19728741). Plays an essential role in the purine salvage pathway which allows the parasite to use host cell purines for the synthesis of nucleic acids (Probable). adenosine + H(+) + H2O = inosine + NH4(+) Binds 1 zinc ion per subunit. Inhibited by coformycin but not by methylthiocoformycin (MT-coformycin). kcat is 1.9 sec(-1) with adenosine as substrate. Purine metabolism; purine nucleoside salvage. Belongs to the metallo-dependent hydrolases superfamily. Adenosine and AMP deaminases family. Unlike other Plasmodium adenosine deaminases, lacks S-methyl-5'-thioadenosine deaminase activity due to the presence of a Glu residue at position 171 instead of an Asp residue. Extended N-terminus.