Nitrilases catalyze the mild hydrolytic conversion of organonitriles directly to the corresponding carboxylic acids. Catalyzes the production of aryllactic acid derivatives. Mediates the hydrolysis of cyanohydrin to (S)-phenyllactic acid. a nitrile + 2 H2O = a carboxylate + NH4(+) Belongs to the carbon-nitrogen hydrolase superfamily. Nitrilase family.