Catalyzes the hydration of cyanide to formamide. Degradation of cyanide may be important for plant pathogenic fungi in infection of cyanogenic plants (PubMed:8409923). Has also low but significant nitrilase activity with acetonitrile, propionitrile and benzonitrile (PubMed:12725921). formamide = H2O + hydrogen cyanide Optimum pH is 8.5. Oligomer of dimers, forming left-handed helical fibers. By cyanide. Belongs to the carbon-nitrogen hydrolase superfamily. Nitrilase family.