Degrades the rhamnogalacturonan I (RG-I) backbone of pectin. Is required for the full virulence of E.chrysanthemi strain 3937 as it is involved in rotting of plant tissue. Endotype eliminative cleavage of L-alpha-rhamnopyranosyl-(1->4)-alpha-D-galactopyranosyluronic acid bonds of rhamnogalacturonan I domains in ramified hairy regions of pectin leaving L-rhamnopyranose at the reducing end and 4-deoxy-4,5-unsaturated D-galactopyranosyluronic acid at the non-reducing end. Optimum pH is 6.0. Via the type II out secretion pathway. By rhamnose. Contrary to other proteins secreted by the Out pathway, RhiE contains no disulfide bond. Belongs to the polysaccharide lyase 4 family. Both Met-1 and Met-3 seem to be able to act as initiation codons.