This enzyme catalyzes the reversible cleavage of (R)-mandelonitrile to benzaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide, a key reaction in cyanohydrin synthesis. It is widely used in asymmetric organic synthesis for producing chiral cyanohydrins, critical intermediates for pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and fine chemicals. In biocatalysis, it enables high enantioselectivity (>95% ee) under mild conditions, avoiding harsh chemical reagents. It also serves as a research tool in enzymology and metabolic pathway studies, and is used in food additive and fragrance synthesis.
