Catalyzes the hydration of cyanide to formamide. Degradation of cyanide may be important for plant pathogenic fungi in infection of cyanogenic plants. formamide = H2O + hydrogen cyanide Optimum pH is 7-8 (PubMed:1416986, PubMed:15703908). Active from pH 6 to pH 8.5 (PubMed:15703908, PubMed:18587571). Optimum temperature is 42-55 degrees Celsius. Oligomer of dimers, forming left-handed helical fibers. By cyanide. Highly sensitive to cyanide, but retains virulence on sorghum. Belongs to the carbon-nitrogen hydrolase superfamily. Nitrilase family.